The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is seeking to fill one full-time Pharmacy Technician Specialist. This position represents the Controlled Substance Pharmacy Technician, who oversees the operation and security of the Controlled Substance distribution system at the VA Medical Center, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The position functions in areas which service both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, specialty clinic and the Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOC).

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties may include but are not limited to: As the Controlled Substances Pharmacy Technician, the incumbent's duties relate to professional, sub-professional, and administrative activities. The Incumbent is responsible for maintaining accountability of controlled substances, and to be in full compliance with DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) and Department of Veterans Affairs Regulations. The Incumbent is responsible for making daily rounds to pick up CSAR's (Controlled Substance Administration Record) from all areas of controlled substance use. Is responsible for the preparing and filling of inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances. The incumbent is responsible for assisting in the monthly controlled substance audit/review by distributing identification badges and certification stamps to inspectors, distributing active controlled lists for assigned areas, assisting controlled substance inspection officers in the investigation of discrepancies, and reviewing and initialing each completed VAF 10-2638 for arithmetic, losses or unusual waste when picked up at the used location and in the biennial inventory of all controlled substances. Maintains readily retrievable files of all administrative data dealing with controlled substances in an easily accessible manner. Stores and eliminates files according to provisions of RCS 10-1. The incumbent answers questions from nurses and physicians on drug dosage and product availability of controlled substances. Information is furnished from personal knowledge, or by consulting Pharmacy reference books, drug information file or from the pharmacist. Also, consults with nurses to determine if any new medication orders have been written, increased, decreased, or cancelled to insure proper levels of medication for that ward. Reviews doctor's order sheets when there is a question as to the need for new drugs and/or increased usage of the drug. Incumbent prepares, by bulk compounding, routine and simple pharmaceuticals; receives, checks after unpacking and sorting, and assists in properly storing controlled substances. Is responsible for checking Narcotic Vault, clinics and wards for outdated drugs. The incumbent does general housekeeping, cleaning, and equipment maintenance of the Pharmacy area, especially the Narcotic Vault. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining exact records of all transactions involving controlled substances. Incumbent is also responsible for retrieving said records. Incumbent furnishes AMIS data concerning controlled substances. Is responsible for assisting in Pharmacy QA activity in regard to controlled substance. Performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit dose carts), an/or fills unit dose carts independently without secondary review. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts without a send review. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment such as the, Laminar flow hoods, Pyxis control dispensing units, Automated Dispensing Cabinet, etc. The incumbent is responsible for duties that include drug recall management, hazardous medication management, generic drug product selection, inventory management, procurement of pharmaceuticals to include controlled substances, supply items and non-formulary drugs, over the counter medications and other prescription medications. Responsible for manufacturing uncomplicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, other complex pharmaceuticals, etc. Responsible for manufacturing all products requiring compounding, which are made in large batches for more than one patient or are made in small batches to fil a single prescription or drug order. Prepackages tablets, capsules, liquids and ointments. Courteously receives prescriptions and refill requests from veterans at the outpatient window and over the telephone. Answers most telephone calls. Has the ability to answer routine inquiries from doctors, nurses, and other professional staff. Directs more complex questions to the pharmacists on duty. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30 pm and occasionally 9:30am-6pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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. 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. (CERTIFICATE REQUIRED) 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-7 Pharmacy Technician Experience. One year experience at the next lower level which demonstrates (1) Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. (2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. These are: GS-06 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities* 1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged period of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighting up to 40lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, and bending/stooping.

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 John J Pershing VA Medical Center 1500 North Westwood Boulevard Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 US
• Name: Rebecca Hampton
• Phone: 573-413-3921
• Email: [email protected]