This position functions as a rotating position between inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy Service within the VA Medical Center. The primary function will be to perform a variety of general and specialized technical support functions in the Pharmacy Service and enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the professional staff.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties Include but are not limited to: a. Unpacks, sorts and stores medications and supplies in designated storage areas and maintains a perpetual rotation of dated stock. Routinely checks medication stocks in the pharmacy storage areas for outdated or deteriorated items, removes them for credit or appropriate disposition. b. Maintains neat and clean stock, storage, compounding and dispensing areas. c. Assists with inventory management and ordering of medications. d. Performs all technical functions inherent in the outpatient medication management system. Sets up and assists with filling an extensive variety of patient prescriptions according to pharmacy outpatient policies and federal law. e. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. f. Performs all technical functions inherent in the inpatient medication management system to include inventory of medications on the nursing units, initiates and prepares medication orders, fills the orders in the pharmacy, delivers the completed orders to the nursing units and maintains appropriate data, records and reports relative to the Inpatient Management System. Routinely performs all appropriate duties inherent in the decentralized Unit-Dose-Medication Management System. Performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to the inpatient areas (unit dose carts), and or fills unit dose carts independently without secondary review. g. After inpatient orders are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, the technician reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. h. Participates in and maintains the service filing system including prescriptions, inpatient and outpatient medication profiles, requisitions, forms, reports and other paperwork, and participates in the appropriate file purge systems. i. Prepares medication, labels and control records for packaging procedures. Packages or repackages Unit Dose and bulk medications for inpatient and/or outpatient use. Determines and maintains adequate levels of prepackaged medications and labels. j. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. k. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. l. Maintains, verifies, stocks and replaces outdates in patient care area automated machines. m. Works Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. n. Maintains and routinely demonstrates state-of-the-art expertise and proficiency with ADP equipment and procedures, including appropriate computer technology. o. Works with controlled substances and participates in monitoring and control procedures in the pharmacy and on the nursing units. Prepares and delivers controlled substances to the automated dispensing cabinets. Stocks the cabinets with a nurse as the witness. Work Schedule: Hours may vary (Monday - Friday with rotating weekends and Holidays). Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91099-A Pharmacy Technician Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: GS-06 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Examples of GS-05 experience are but not limited to: at this grade level serve as staff pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures, and require minimal supervision. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)s: GS-05 1. Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. 2. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. 3. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. 4. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. GS-06 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is 06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 06 to 06. Physical Requirements: unusual situations with recommendations for appropriate action. Sequence and timing of work are left to the] discretion of the technician according to general policy. The technician's work is reviewed on an overall basis by the supervisor for conformity to Pharmacy Service policy and requirements. As outlined by the professional standard board for technicians. A. Pulling: This position requires frequent use of the upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion, as in pulling equipment from one area to the next. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients. B. Grasping: This position requires the constant application of pressure to an object with the fingers and palm, as in the holding of a pen to jot notes, messages, etc. C. Feeling: This position requires the perception of attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips and palms palpitation of a patient's skin for integrity, temperature. D. Sitting: This position frequently requires the maintenance of a seated position, as when seated to work at the computer and while participating in meetings. E. Carrying: This position constantly requires the use of upper extremities to hold or grasp and lower extremities to move about on foot to move objects from position to position, as when carrying medications from the med cart to the patient for administration. F. Tasting/Smelling: This position occasionally requires exposure to smells that may be strong in nature, such as ammonia, wounds, feces, etc. G. Climbing: This position occasionally requires moving from one place to another on foot, utilizing one or both legs, and/or utilizing both legs and arms to change one's position in space, either upward or downward as in when climbing the stairs between floors. H. Crawling: This position occasionally requires bending the body downward to a position of being on ones hands and knees to assume appropriate-level position to retrieve items such as pens that have fallen under equipment. I. Reflex: This position occasionally requires the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. J. Emotional Demands: Exposure to meeting with patients and relatives needs and expectations. Work with critically ill patients and may observe patient suffering. K. Visual Requirements: This position requires the: - Ability to read printed material and distinguish colors, such as reading doctor's orders and visualizing the hue of patient's skin, wounds , etc. - Ability to conduct visual inspections during patient assessment. - Ability to accurately read measurements on patient-related equipment; examples include thermometers, mechanical gauges, IV pumps, computer monitors, etc. - Ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around work space safely and to appropriately make contact with patients and staff. L. Intellectual/Emotional Requirements: This position requires the: - Ability to adapt to successfully perform in high stress environments with constant interruptions, emergency/critical/unusual situations, high volume urgency of issues, and interactions with a wide variety of professionals and personalities as a member of a multidisciplinary team working with sick patients. - Ability to perform a variety of duties, changing one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure , and consistently meet department work schedule demands, including direct patient care, documentation and participation in workgroup, committees, etc. - Ability to communicate effectively, courteously, and cooperatively with co-workers, patients, and visitors of diverse professional, education and lifestyle backgrounds. - Ability to work independently and assume responsibility for completion of assignments. - Ability to recognize situations beyond function(s) knowledge/training and request appropriate assistance. Appendix G28 This position requires the incumbent to travel by government vehicle to CBOC and Saginaw locations as a regular and reoccurring part of their duties (valid driver's license required). This position requires the incumbent to transport patients in a government vehicle. - Ability to maintain confidentiality of information to protect patient rights to privacy. M. Hazards/Environmental Factors: - Position requires exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, and/or hazardous materials. - Position functions in a Hospital/Clinical environment and may be subject to shift work to include days, evenings, or nights. - Frequent use of personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to hazardous materials is required. - Other hazards include but are not limited to working closely with others and/or working alone.

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 Aleda E Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1500 Weiss Street Saginaw, MI 48602 US
• Name: Miguel Aguilar
• Phone: (559) 225-6100 X6665
• Email: [email protected]