Serves as Pharmacy Technician in the Pharmacy Service providing either Inpatient or Outpatient support as follows: Outpatient: Provides technical and automated outpatient pharmacy support under the guidance of a registered pharmacist and under the direct supervision of the Outpatient Supervisor Pharmacy Technician. Inpatient: This position functions primarily inpatient non-ambulatory medical, surgical and intensive patient care areas of Pharmacy Service within the VA Medical Center.

Duties

General Duties Directs workflow based on the dynamic needs of pharmacy. Accurately prepares and labels inpatient and outpatient medications for final review by a pharmacist in a timely manner. Accurately prepares and labels-controlled substance prescriptions for final review by a pharmacist according to established policies, procedures, and regulations regarding security and record keeping. Correctly operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment according to established standard operation procedures. Accurately replenishes controlled and non-controlled substances in the Omnicell medication dispensing cabinets and Omnicell medication carousels in a timely manner. Assists medical center staff and non-staff either by phone or in person, concerning drug distribution and general triaging of requests for the pharmacist, and refers to a pharmacist appropriately. Compounds hazardous and non-hazardous sterile, and non-sterile products by selecting, calculating, and measuring the appropriate ingredients; mixing in a safe and effective manner utilizing aseptic technique when appropriate; inspects final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance; labels the product, and maintains records of the process. Performs final review of medications prepared by other technicians to be dispensed to inpatient areas. Operate in different areas of the Pharmacy Service to assist in coverage due to staffing needs. Accurately completes VISTA documentation including units dispensed and automatic replenishment. Assists department leadership in data collection for process monitoring and improvement of pharmacy operations. Assists frontline staff in customer service recovery. Assists pharmacists with PATS-R resolutions. Follows all policies regarding remote wireless continuous temperature monitoring. Proactively provides coverage to areas within the Pharmacy Service based on staffing needs within and outside of their designated section of the Pharmacy. Monitors the GS-6 and below pharmacy technicians for compliance with applicable pharmacy policies and procedures. Trains and orients new technicians and other new pharmacy staff regarding facility and department policies and procedures. Performs quality assurance check to ensure continued readiness of pharmacy service operations for compliance with accepted standards mandated by auditing and credentialing agencies. Operates in conjunction with the Clinical Automation Technician(s) to assist with the training, maintenance, access control and troubleshooting of pharmacy automation equipment. Assists the IV room manager on the completion of the IV room process validation. Assists in the completion of the oncology pharmacy IV process validation. Ensures that compounding staff are compliant with USP 797/800 compounding standards. Assists in maintaining training documentation and training manuals. Maintains the local VA All-Hazards Emergency Cache (AHEC) by receiving new product, rotating stock accordingly checks expiration dates, perform weekly inspections, assures compliance with the Shelf-Life Extension Program (SLEP). This is completed under the direction of the AHEC Pharmacy manager and Inpatient Pharmacy Technician Supervisor. Maintains inpatient and outpatient pharmacy medication inventory using established methods and procedures. Coordinates monthly nursing/clinical ward and pharmacy inspections to ensure that all areas are inspected. Promotes, in collaboration with Pharmacy Procurement, cost-effective strategies to implement into daily workflow. Operates in conjunction with the Controlled Substance Technician(s) to ensure compliance with controlled substance medication policies from the GS-6 and below pharmacy technicians. Work Schedule: Rotating Schedule Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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: PTCB certification is required at this grade level 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 placement opportunity exist. 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: Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade 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 (*): *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. Assignment: 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 the health care facility. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements: Routinely involved in walking, bending, stooping, lifting and handling items not to exceed 50 lbs. Includes prolonged periods of standing and irregular work shifts.

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 Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Sandra Placencia
• Phone: 916-843-9225
• Email: [email protected]