This employee is responsible for assuring facility compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory, and accountability of controlled substances. They will perform a variety of general and specialized technical and clerical support functions in Pharmacy Service and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the professional staff.

Duties

Major Duties Controlled Substance Dispensing Collates and prepares prescriptions for distribution (pick-up and/or mail out) Ensures digital signature is valid for each narcotic prescription before filling Maintains proficiency in transacting controlled substance prescriptions in applicable software systems Assists with mail packaging of controlled substances, as staffing necessitates Ensures packaged narcotic prescriptions for mail out are brought to the main mail cart each day before mail leaves the outpatient pharmacy area Upholds complete vault and drug security when working in the vault, including vault entry logo Exhibits an ability to function independently with elevated level of productivity and accuracy Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of all applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory, and accountability of controlled substances Conducts and maintains accurate inventory of all controlled substances in the outpatient pharmacy in accordance with VA policies and procedures to include front and back narcotic vaults Reports all count discrepancies to a supervisor immediately Provides proper information and assistance to the supervisor for balance adjustment and inventory management Completes all orders for controlled substances, according to VACO directives, DEA, and other state and local requirements Maintains stock/inventory control to ensure sufficient quantities are available to meet dispensing demands, preventing shortages and/or conditions of excessive stock for both the front and back narcotic vaults. This may include the transfer of controlled substance stock from the back-narcotic vault to the front narcotic vault Is responsible for storage and stock rotation of all controlled substances, REMS medications, and investigational controlled substance inventory. Checks expiration dates Complies with all submission and documentation rules for REMS medications and maintains appropriate records in a clear and organized system, when applicable Is responsible to ensure the accuracy of controlled substance records Develops and maintains a process to keep records and/or files in a legal and orderly fashion for all routine and unscheduled inspections Maintains records of transactions of the outpatient pharmacy as required by policies necessary to maintain adequate control and accountability of all controlled substances (i.e. receiving receipts, logistics, CSOS, hard copy of controlled substance prescriptions for CII-V from Non-VA providers, etc.)o Reconciles CII-V hard copy requirements daily and maintains CII-V hard copy files in a clear and organized system Interacts with controlled substance inspection officials Identifies and reports any potential problem(s) of waste, fraud, diversion, and/or abuse to appropriate supervisors Tracks and trends reported patient controlled substance issues with pharmacy supervisor(s)o Displays an ability to gather appropriate amount of information needed to ascertain and resolve problems; in addition, makes recommendations for appropriate action Maintains effective verbal and written communication between other technicians and pharmacists regarding storage and dispensing of controlled substances Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution of controlled substances Follows correct procedures for recalled controlled substances based on level of severityo Is responsible for receipt, return to stock, and destruction of controlled substances Assists with securing all damaged or expired controlled substance medication(s) for destruction Responds to any technological down time and is highly sensitive to the impact on pharmacy customer service Instructs pharmacy staff (technicians and pharmacists) on controlled substance policies and procedures. Provides written instruction and reference materials when required, particularly for new tasks. On occasion, may need to provide education to inspectors, students, residents, etc. Receives and maintains separate methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone inventory and storage for Outpatient Treatment Program. Ensures medications for the Outpatient Treatment Program are ordered on the correct DEA form with correct DEA number for the Outpatient Treatment Program Uses safe handling of hazardous drugs as outlined in facility/department policy and USP 800 Is responsible for storage and inventory maintenance of controlled substances in cache Is responsible for storage, distribution, and record keeping of VA prescription blanks (VA Form 10- 2577F) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (tour of duty may vary) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists." 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). Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. ? 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations (GS-7) Experience. One year experience at or equivalent to the next lower level, (GS-6) and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, which include, but are not limited to; Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action; Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment; Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents; Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products; Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts; Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements:You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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 Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Ken Johnson
• Phone: 612-467-2294
• Email: [email protected]