This position functions in the inpatient section of the pharmacy service. PTCB certification is required. Primary responsibilities of this position include the processing, preparing and filling of unit dose and sterile parenteral medications and solutions, maintaining all IV rooms and stocking the automated medication dispensing system. National pharmacy technician certification is required.

Duties

A. Inpatient Pharmacy/Sterile compounding 1. The technician will demonstrate understanding of general workflow of the inpatient pharmacy section and the duties and responsibilities pertaining to each inpatient pharmacy area. 2. The technician will be able to consistently show competence in correct compounding procedure and sterile technique through demonstration and actual work performance. The technician is responsible for properly compounding, labeling and delivering in a timely manner all IV piggybacks and admixtures used in this Medical Center, including TPNs/PPNs, cardiac and electrolyte batches and replacement fluids. The technician will comply with all documentation processes required for product preparation as well as quality assessment measures to ensure strict adherence to sterile compounding guidelines. 3. Depending on the complexity and nature of the preparation, the actual compounding process will be completed without direct supervision. A supervising pharmacist will initial the compounded product verifying its accuracy prior to dispensing and delivery to the appropriate patient ward. 4. The technician is responsible for delivery of pharmacy supply items for use in the inpatient pharmacy satellites and IV rooms or as identified by their direct supervisor B. Pharmacy Supply 1. The technician will demonstrate ability in accurately completing fills for all automated medication dispensing units and will participate in conducting quality assurance audits as requested by their direct supervisor. The process will include pulling medications from the pharmacy supply area, completing and filing reports, loading medications into individual dispensing units in patient areas and troubleshooting any problems. 2. The technician will be responsible for conducting routine ward inspections and maintaining general upkeep of designated work areas, including pharmacy satellites and IV rooms. 3. The technician is responsible for maintaining appropriate inventory and par levels of all medications and supplies kept in the inpatient pharmacy areas as well as designated emergency crash carts located in inpatient areas throughout the Medical Center. 4. The technician will have a general knowledge of workflow for the outpatient pharmacy section and the pharmacy supply. C. General duties 1. The technician will be proficient in covering all shifts and areas of coverage for the inpatient section. The technician will also be proficient in providing support for the pharmacists in all sections of the pharmacy service during off tour hours. Additional training will be provided to each technician to cover a specialty area. Once the training is completed, the technician will be proficient in providing coverage for the designated specialty area as assigned. 2. The technician is responsible for participating in code blue activities when assigned, including retrieval of the code blue narcotic pack. 3. The technician will demonstrate ability in utilizing the pharmacy telephone system to deliver missing doses to individual nursing stations in a timely manner. 4. The technician will be responsible for removing outdated, unusable and/or excess inventory for return to pharmacy supply for appropriate redistribution, return for credit or destruction Work Schedule: All shifts, Monday through Friday (Rotating weekends/holidays) 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. 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. 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. 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). 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 for this position. EXPERIENCE: One year specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-5) directly related to the position being filled, that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as a Pharmacy Technician. Examples of qualifying experience include: The technician will have a fundamental working knowledge of the pharmacy drug and supply procurement process. Candidates must also demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: Inpatient Pharmacy experience preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician, Qualification Standard, GS-0661, Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: The work requires the regular and recurring use of a computer monitor and prolonged periods of sitting. However, based on the secondary duty assignments, the work may require regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, walking, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, bending/stooping and moving of pharmacy equipment (i.e. cache carts, supply carts, Omnicells etc.).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript or high school diploma 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 San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92161 US
• Name: Ricky Clark
• Phone: 319-509-6482
• Email: [email protected]