This pharmacy technician position is located in the NYHHCS Manhattan Facility. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy technicians perform routine pharmacy functions including receiving prescriptions/orders from patients in writing or electronically from physicians. Pharmacy technicians prepare prescriptions by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing the medication if necessary.

Duties

Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: Pharmacy technicians maintain patient profiles, stock, and take inventory of medications. Pharmacy technicians prepare medications for inpatients in various settings, including sterile product preparation. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy depending on the needs of the service, assignments include but not limited to expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including controlled substance distribution, preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: 1. The incumbent(s) in the assigned pharmacy area perform a variety of complex technical pharmacy functions (including but not limited to ordering, preparing, compounding and dispensing of medications) requiring knowledge of pharmaceuticals, intravenous solutions and pharmacy practices. 2. The incumbent(s) will assist the procurement technician in all respects of pharmaceutical and supply order initiations, receiving shipments of goods, ensuring compliance with storage requirements and inventory control through perpetual analysis. Incumbent must apply sound principles of inventory management in the replenishment of stock and during the ordering process, taking into account price differential of substitution products, par levels and total order cost. 3. Incumbent(s) can be assigned to assist with supply purchasing and if so, will be held accountable for: a. Complying with all Federal, VA and local acquisition regulations. b. Verifying funds available prior to making purchases, reconciling payment charges, safeguarding the card and other sensitive account/purchasing information. c. Maintaining accountability of daily purchases and coordinates receipt. d. Attending Government Purchase training. 4. Incumbent(s) provide information and contributes his/ her pharmaceutical knowledge regarding alternative sources of supply, therapeutically equivalent drugs and identification of drugs, generic names and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Resolves questions of quality control, drug shortages, drug stock levels, drug storage, disposition of drug recalls and returns and exchange of merchandise. He/ she is able to utilize prime vendor, DHCP applications for ordering/drug accountability purposes. Keeps accurate logs/records of all orders. 5. Responsible for all ongoing inventories of drug products and supplies and cost-effective turn over must be consistently identified and maintained. Determines, establishes, and modifies, as necessary appropriate ordering intervals, inventory levels, most efficient/effective ordering quantities, sources of supply, etc., based on current financial conditions in pharmacy, seasonal variations in drug usage, changing patterns of medical practice, delivery time requirements, urgency of medical need, alternative sources of availability, etc. 6. Incumbent(s) assure that supplies/medications are restocked/maintained in a safe, convenient and economical manner; advises warehouse and nursing personnel on the proper storage conditions of drugs (i.e., refrigeration, protection from light, etc.) Ensures that drugs and chemicals are properly shelved and that the oldest stock will be used first, being extremely cognizant of drugs with short expiration dates. 7. Incumbent(s) provide on-the-job developmental training to coworker technicians, volunteers and students in accordance with established plans and practices. 8. Incumbent(s) must be able to handle emergency deliveries, pick up new orders and replenish needed supplies on his/her own initiative, or as directed by the lead/supervisor technician or the pharmacist. 9. Ability to perform record keeping functions associated with the unit dose/IV distribution system, prepacking, compounding, dispensing, floor stock and automatic replenishment. Work Schedule: VARIABLE Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21M49-A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidate. GS-6 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders .Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA NY Harbor Healthcare System 423 East 23rd Street New York, NY 10010 US
• Name: Maritza Cazares
• Phone: 718-584-9000 X6668
• Email: [email protected]