This position functions in the Inpatient Pharmacy Services within the Miami VA Healthcare System. The incumbent is a highly functioning technician, who will perform a variety of complex technical skills and functions, which requires comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practices. Most duties will be performed at the Miami VAMC, although some work at other facilities may be required.

Duties

1. Follows USP 797 Guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparations, including ophthalmic, cardioplegic, TPN, large & small volume IV solutions, PCAs, etc. Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, or other modality as required. 2. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients safely and effectively, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and supplies the product for pharmacist verification and delivery. 3. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. 4. Consistently displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and/or actual work performance. 5. Inventories and replenishes emergency trays. 6. Operates and maintains automated dispensing unit dose systems. 7. Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability before submitting them for a final check before distribution to hospital areas. 8. Assures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards and attains a final review by a pharmacist. 9. Maintains repackaging records that assures all regulatory and review standards are met. 10. Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems as they occur and coordinates resolution of more involved mechanical or software problems with the Supervisor, vendor help desk, ADPAC, etc. as appropriate. 11. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and attains a final check by a pharmacist. 12. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. 13. Correctly inventories, assesses, and determines the need for floor stock and external medication. 14. Follows established policies and procedures, schedules, inventory levels, and usage rate reports to determine appropriate stock levels for specific areas of use. 15. Accurately fills prescription items for wards using Automatic Replenishment reports. Work Schedule: Weekend compressed tour 0700-1730 & holiday rotations Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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: U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may 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. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (proof of graduation or equivalent required) or at least 3 months of experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship the full-time work week. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Preferred Experience: Experience in a hospital pharmacy setting is preferred, but not required. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Grade Determinations:GS-2: (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirement. Grade Determinations: GS-3: Education or Experience: Completion of 1 year of post-high school course work related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field(licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.).In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to maintain appropriate files 2.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision 3.Ability to communicate with patients and other health profession Grade Determination: GS-4: Education or Experience: Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision 2.Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment 3.Ability to operate pharmacy information systems 4.Ability to maintain appropriate files 5.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision Grade Determination GS-5: Education or Experience. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment 2.Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique 3.Knowledge of basic inventory procedures 4.Knowledge of pharmacy information systems References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated March 2006. Reference is available in the local Human Resources Office. 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). The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Technician Board Certification PTCB Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (up to 50 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, 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 Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Joselyne Figueroa-Cruz
• Phone: 787-600-0438
• Email: [email protected]