The Pharmacy Technician serves as a chemotherapy and sterile products technician. The Pharmacy Technician applies knowledge of pharmacy practice, VA regulations, and hospital procedures. Judgment and skill are used to complete technical functions of chemotherapy and non-hazardous medication compounding.

Duties

The Pharmacy Technician (Chemotherapy, Sterile Products Preparation) will perform duties in the IV room that will involve setting up sterile products for dispensing, making appropriate record entries and reviewing IV administration records. The employee will also assist inspectors, review teams and other staff during routine inquires and inspections. The incumbent is expected to maintain a high degree of accurate productivity and performance while being extremely aware of the specific contribution to total patient care. The employee must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the duties of the position, including the necessary skills to provide care appropriate to the population of the patients served. Such knowledge and skills are identified in the Competency Assessment Checklist of the position and include knowledge and skills in: (1) Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to both internal and external customers. (2) Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print. (3) The medical center performance improvement program. (4) How to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. (5) Population-specific care, as identified in the Population-Specific Competencies, including effectively communicating with patients who may have hearing, physical or cognitive impairments. The employee will participate in other program activities and assume other responsibilities not included or mentioned above, as assigned by the Pharmacy Supervisor or Pharmacy Service Chief. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm or 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, subject to the needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Regulations. 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 must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Regulations. Grade Requirements, Pharmacy Technician, GS-7 Experience: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*). 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. Preferred experience: Compounded Sterile product (hazardous & non-hazardous) preparation experience. Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a pharmacist, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as supervisors or in an equivalent assignment in a Pharmacy Service, or for a specific unit or section. The Pharmacy Technician (Chemotherapy, Sterile Products Preparation) must possess necessary interpersonal skills to effectively function with the healthcare professionals and patients within the assigned patient care area. Strong oral and written communication skills are essential. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, March 17, 2006. Available in the Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position will require frequent standing and walking to patient rooms throughout the hospital. Prolonged sitting and computer work will be required as well. Wearing of various protective gear, including N95 masks, will be required to enter patients' room as needed due to contact precautions. 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 WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Mark Johnson
• Phone: 318-272-2896
• Email: [email protected]