The Pharmacy Technician functions in various areas of the pharmacy, e.g. inpatient pharmacy, outpatient pharmacy, various storage areas, offices, and patient care areas under the supervision of the inpatient or outpatient pharmacy supervisor.

Duties

The Pharmacy Technician functions in various areas of the pharmacy, e.g., inpatient & outpatient pharmacy, various storage areas, offices and patient care areas, under the supervision of the inpatient pharmacy supervisor, depending upon the area of administrative assignment of the incumbent or a registered pharmacist in the absence of a pharmacy supervisor. Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services within the pharmacy department. This position involves providing services related to inpatients and/or ambulatory patients. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Sterile Product Compounding1. This technician prepares sterile intravenous admixtures, parenteral nutrition, sterile irrigation, chemotherapy and other IV preparation under the direction of a pharmacist.2. Applies rigid aseptic techniques in preparing sterile solutions by following guidance from ASHP's instruction to handle sterile solutions, and use filtering apparatus, transferring devices, and containers for storing sterile products appropriately.3. Selects and measures appropriate ingredients needed to manufacture and IV or Total Parenteral Nutrition. Mixes the ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of manufacturing process, obtains appropriate pharmacist signatures prior to delivery.. Unit Dose Medication Management1. Performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas ( unit dose carts), and/or fills unit dose carts independently without secondary review.2. Inventories and replenishes Point Of Care machines without a second review.3. Inventories and replenishes emergency crash cart trays. Bulk/Extemporaneous Compounding1. Responsible for preparing all products requiring compounding, which are made in large batches for more than one patient or are made in small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order.2. This involves interpretation of the physician's order, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients and mixing ingredients in a safe, effective and sterile manner, inspecting the final product for accuracy, and suitability. Ensure labeling of the product, maintaining records of the manufacturing process, and supplying the product for delivery.3. Uses either standard protocol or pharmacist judgment to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. Follows standardized formulas and procedures in weighing, measuring and mixing bulk and individual quantities of routinely used solutions, ointments, or powders. Uses precision balances, filtering equipment, bottles and capping equipment. Mixes ingredients in a safe and sterile manner; inspects the final product for accuracy and suitability. Ensure proper labeling of the product; maintains record of the manufacturing process; and supplies the product for delivery. Outpatient Medication Management1. Assists with discharge prescription orders from the inpatient care areas as well as the Emergency Department, demonstrating knowledge of pharmacy dispensing equipment and procedures.2. Receives, reviews, reconciles, and prioritizes prescriptions. Interprets, and selects medications, counts or measures proper quantities, places drugs in appropriate container, affixes required and appropriate labels and records dispensing information on the medication dispensing record to provide adequate, accurate medications for patients for dispensing by a pharmacist. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: Variable 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. English language proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. Grade Determinations: Creditable Experience. One year experience at the next lower 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. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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: At least one year of inpatient pharmacy technician experience preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28, available in the local Human Resources The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06 Physical Requirements: The work requires standing, walking for short periods of time, light carrying and lifting under 50 pounds; bending, reaching, and stooping. The work also involves working around machinery with moving parts and working closely with others. Both eyes required (Glasses Okay), Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors and distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted).

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 Fresno VA Medical Center 2615 East Clinton Avenue Fresno, CA 93703 US
• Name: Tearia Hill
• Phone: 504-547-2869
• Email: [email protected]