This position functions primarily in the patient care areas of Pharmacy Service. The incumbent must be a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Functioning independently, incumbent operates with minimal supervision from the Outpatient and Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisors and has sole responsibility for filling and distribution of all inpatient controlled substances.

Duties

Major Duties: FILLING/PROCESSING Coordinates timely delivery of controlled substances to nursing units. Reviews schedules periodically and implements changes to enhance efficient delivery. Maintains adequate stock level of controlled substances in the automated dispensing device. Works with the Pharmacy ADPAC(s) and nursing staff to determine stock items and quantities for each nursing unit. Utilizes computer generated stock reports and experience to restock quantities for each unit. Fills "green sheet" requests for controlled substances. Reconciles non-zero balances. Removes expiring controlled substances from nursing units prior to their expiration date. Segregates expired medications and disposes them in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Processes and fills controlled substance requests independently allowing only a final pharmacist check before dispensing outpatient prescriptions or a nurse prior to dispensing inpatient requests. RECORD MAINTENANCE/INVENTORY CONTROL Maintains exact perpetual inventory and security of all controlled substances in the pharmacy vault and SAT sites. Notifies supervisors and VA Police within 15 minutes of an unresolved issue. Maintains exact and detailed records of distribution of controlled substances. Reconciles order forms with delivery records. Monitors signatures of providers prescribing controlled substances and individuals receiving controlled substances. Maintains proper records for destruction of controlled substances. Regularly orders adequate amounts of controlled substances and ensures stock level is appropriate. Coordinates with Acquisition and Material Management Service to ensure receipt, distribution and destruction of controlled substances are performed in a timely fashion. Ensures all required inspections are performed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the bi-weekly inspection, hospital monthly inspection, Drug Cache inspection and annual controlled substance inventory. Maintains proper records for destruction of controlled substances. EDUCATION Demonstrates detailed and comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, procedures and other instructions governing control and distribution of controlled substances facility wide. Educates and trains pharmacy technicians and pharmacists about handling, transportation and security of controlled substances. Educates providers, nurses, patients, family members and VA Community Clinics on the policies and procedures regarding controlled substance control and distribution. Communicates with patients and family members concerning the status of a prescription and provides education concerning the facilities' policies. ADP SECURITY Ensures policies and procedures related to the security of patient information (including HIPPA requirements) are strictly applies to their own practice and that of others. Customer Service Exercises a high degree of initiative, resourcefulness, judiciousness and integrity, and establishes and maintains good personal relationships with the various sections of the hospital, medical center personnel and patients. Defines a "customer'' as anyone who requests information or help from the Pharmacy Department including, but not limited to, patients, family members, visitors, providers, hospital and pharmacy staff. Maintains a professional level of conduct when dealing with all customers. Work Schedule: Three Shifts: 7:00 a.m-3:30 p.m., 7:30 a.m-4:00 p.m., 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 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

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. 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." 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). 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 Pharmacy Technician Experience. One year experience at the next lower level (GS-6) and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. 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 and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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, Part II, Appendix G-28. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-661, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for 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 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Lisa Damond
• Phone: 912-569-1715
• Email: [email protected]