This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties include but not limited to the following description: The Investigational Drug Service (IDS) handles all medications and pharmaceuticals used in approved research studies. The Clinical Pharmacy Technician provides support for the IDS under the supervision of the IDS pharmacists. Duties include ordering and managing inventory, filling prescriptions, compounding sterile and non-sterile products, including chemotherapeutic agents, stocking supplies, maintaining research records, closing out inactive studies and performing general administrative support functions. The Clinical Pharmacy Technician will interact with members of the Pharmacy and Research Services and with Research Sponsors, investigators and staff members. He/she performs pharmacy distributive functions in accordance with approved research protocols and VHA and VACT policies and procedures to meet the needs of research participants and personnel. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F03493 EDRP Authorized: Contact Amy Haley at [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, 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. 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: Clinical Pharmacy Technician (Investigative Drug Service) GS-7: Experience: One year experience at or equivalent to the next lower level (GS6) and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. 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. Functions include but are not limited to the following description: 1. Medication Dispensing and Distributing Prepares medications for research participants according to the drug handling procedures for each research protocol. Identifies the correct treatment assignment, if applicable, for each research participant. Identifies the correct product assignment, if applicable, for each research participant. Fills prescriptions with the correct medication, quantity, labeling, and required patient information. Final check is performed by a Pharmacist. Prepares medications in a variety of formats, including prescription bottles, blister cards, unit-dose packaging, parenteral products, and others. Maintains strict accountability of all investigational drugs and records all dispensing activity in inventory records. Delivers medications to research areas throughout the medical center. Operates, maintains, and cleans complicated Pharmacy equipment. Prepares shipments of medications to research participants and labs. 2. Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding Compounds sterile and non-sterile products by interpreting the medication order; performing calculations; selecting, measuring and weighing appropriate ingredients; mixing ingredients using proper technique; inspecting the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance; labeling the product; and maintaining records of the compounding process. Final check is performed by a Pharmacist. Compounds low and medium-risk compounded sterile products (CSPs), including chemotherapeutic agents, according to current pharmaceutical practice standards (i.e., USP 797). Demonstrates proper aseptic technique and handling of hazardous drugs. Compounds and/or reconstitutes non-sterile products, according to current pharmaceutical practice standards (i.e., USP 795). Compounds blinded dosage forms, e.g. capsules, for use in clinical research studies. 3. Controlled Substances Handles controlled substances and completes documentation in accordance with VA policy and DEA rules and regulations. Conducts regularly scheduled inventories per policy and conducts inventory during unannounced inspections by Controlled Substance Inspectors. Communicates problems or discrepancies to IDS Pharmacists. Ensures drug accountability by verifying count (initial and final) for each dispensing activity and comparing to inventory records. Investigates discrepancies and reports problems or discrepancies to IDS Pharmacists. Issues and reviews VA Form 10-2638 Controlled Substance Administration Records. Follows hospital policy for disposition of expired and/or unusable controlled substances, after appropriate approvals are obtained, e.g. Sponsors, DEA, etc. 4. Inventory Management Assists in the daily management of inventory and supplies. Notifies IDS pharmacists of items to be purchased, ordered, compounded, removed for disposition, etc. Purchases the needed items from the manufacturer or wholesaler. Orders study drugs and supplies from study sponsors. Maintains all clinical trial materials, including used and unused drugs, for inspection by research monitors, in accordance with each protocol. 5. Education and Training Creates an environment to stimulate, encourage and support the participation of pharmacy personnel in providing drug information to the hospital staff and other facilities as deemed appropriate. Completes all mandatory training as required by local, VISN and national mandates within established timeframes and submits documentation of training to the Pharmacy Service Administrative Assistant. Assures timely completion of all internally assigned employee education modules as presented via Talent Management Service (TMS). 6. Medication/Pharmacy Security The pharmacy technician will maintain strict security over all medications in the Pharmacy as well as in any medication storage areas within VACT. The pharmacy technician will maintain the security of the Pharmacy, making sure that only Pharmacy employees, residents, volunteers, students or other authorized VA employees are allowed access into the Pharmacy areas. Preferred Experience: Inventory management/Pharmaceutical Procurement Sterile IV Compounding Controlled Substance handling and accountability Familiarity with electronic records management References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, GS-661, Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertions involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 45 lb., and bending/stooping/stretching.

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 West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: Heather Volpe
• Email: [email protected]