The incumbent will independently coordinate all sterile compounding activities within the VA New York Harbor Health Care System, , Brooklyn Facility. The incumbent will insure compliance of all regulatory requirements associated with sterile compounding. The incumbent will independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate quality assurance and performance improvement reports associated with sterile compounding activities for presentation to management.

Duties

General Duties: Operates as a pharmacy technician assigned to inpatient sections when the IV/Oncology room management functions are completed or as need arises for patient care. Fills inpatient medication orders with prescribed doses under the unit dose drug distribution system in accordance with BCMA policies. Exchanges unit dose drawers at the required times and makes deliveries of medications to inpatient units. Re-packages bulk drugs, which include liquids, tablets, capsules, ointments and creams, etc. into specific quantities and various size containers. Work requires skills in the operations and maintenance of equipment such as tablet and capsule counting machines and labeling machines. Observes proper quality control and infectious control procedures. The finished product will be packaged, labeled, and placed in a designated location. Operates automation that is available in the Pharmacy Service (Pyxis, Talyst, etc.). Program Management Activities Evaluates and analyzes sterile compounding workflow and based on findings, coordinates daily work activities of GS-6 inpatient pharmacy technicians assigned to work in the IV room. Special attention is focused on oncology orders to ensure there is no delay in providing these complex orders that require special handling and paperwork. Ensures full compliance with all regulatory requirements (VHA, Joint Commission, USP 797/800, EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, and FDA) and pharmacy policies and procedures relating to sterile product preparation. This requires extensive specialized knowledge of all personnel, environmental and quality assurance requirements and interpersonal skills to identify deficiencies and work with managers within and outside Pharmacy Service to resolve discrepancies (e.g. Engineering, A&MMS, SPD, EMS, and Safety). Utilizes specialized skills and knowledge of sterile compounding requirements and policies and procedures to provide sterile compounding technique training to all staff (including students and volunteers) and certify annual staff competency. This includes developing training tools, providing hands-on training and mentorship, and observing and evaluating technique of all aspects of sterile compounding (large volume, piggybacks, syringes, pumps, total parenteral nutrition, and controlled substances). .Sterile Preparation Activities Performs a variety of complex technical functions that include preparing IV admixtures (large and small volume), piggyback and pre-filled syringes in accordance with USP 797/800 requirements. Receives and reviews the order, maintains appropriate records and documents, performs necessary pharmaceutical calculations, selects appropriate drug products and solutions, prepares labels (including administrative procedures such as initialing and dating IV labels with correct expiration date and affixing correct auxiliary labels), and compounds all preparations in such a manner that will provide safe and effective therapy while protecting the technician and other hospital personnel, patients, and their families. Utilizes package insert literature, written procedural guidelines and application of specialized knowledge during preparation. In accordance with Federal law, every product is checked by a pharmacist before leaving the pharmacy. Contacts and obtains clarification on any questionable dosages or combinations when necessary to ensure quality of care. The incumbent brings questionable prescriptions/orders or any situation that present a possible hazard to patient care to the attention of a pharmacist for resolution. Includes any additional information to ensure safety and efficacy to the patient and other handlers of the product. Communicating regularly with nursing staff on wards and in clinic areas regarding treatments and administration times of doses to ensure quality of care and reduce waste. Maintaining/updating the patient's current profile and other required records using D.H.C.P. /C.P.R.S., treatment card file system or other means as required for use in-house and outside the hospital. Work Schedule: MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:00AM-4:30PM REGULAR TOUR (but not excluding WHEN hours) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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. c. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. 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 candidates: GS-07 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 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. Assignments. 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. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. (c) Assignments. 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. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Preferred Experience: 1, Three to five years of hospital or infusion related pharmacy experience preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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]