This position is located in the Inpatient/Outpatient sections of Pharmacy Service- VAMC, Northport NY. The incumbent assists in Inpatient and Outpatient Pharmacy sections as assigned and/or as time permits to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. The Certified Pharmacy Technician provides services and products in the ambulatory care setting and is directly involved in the unit dose management system.

Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following: Knowledge Required: Technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, applicable systems of weights and measures, and medical terminology in order to interpret physician's orders and verify that correct drug, dosage form, strength and dosage are prepared and dispensed. Working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders for propriety and assist the pharmacist in solving potential problems. Working knowledge of hospital computer system specifically the applicable DHCP and CPRS processing options (e.g., medication orders, unit dose, IV admixture). Through knowledge of operation and capabilities of automated dispensing systems and ability to perform daily maintenance/minor repairs to such systems. Knowledge of the laws, regulations and official policy concerning drug procurement and security to confirm to legal and professional requirements of Pharmacy Service. Knowledge of the quality improvement process and the skill to participate in the process to improve services. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Unit Dose Medication Management: Perform 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. Inventory and replenish emergency carts without second review. Collect drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Compound and/or reconstitute oral or external (non-sterile) without a second review. Review orders for technical accuracy and converts the order if necessary so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered, after orders are reviewed by the pharmacist for therapeutic propriety. Enter correct drug, strength, dosage form and quantity into the DHCP profile. Perform final verification of simple, non-sterile compounds prepared by lower level technicians. Sterile Product Compounding: Manufactureuncomplicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe etc. Manufacture complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe etc. Manufacture sterile pharmaceuticals which are associated with high degree of toxicity. Apply standard protocols or judgement to determine an accurate expiration date of each batch prepared. Display competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and or actual work performance. Sterile Manufacturing: Requires specialized technical working knowledge of sterile compounding techniques necessary for pharmaceuticals, which will be administered by injection to patients Requires advanced technical working knowledge of hazardous medications and chemicals which can pose a danger or threat to those who prepare, deliver, administer and/or who receive treatment. Knowledge includes appropriate receipt, storage, handling and disposal. Requires the knowledge to prepare complex solutions. Solutions must be prepared exactly as ordered due to their critical function. Proper sterile technique must be used to ensure the solution is not contaminated and potentially dangerous to the patient. Bulk Compounding: Requires specialized technical working knowledge of compounding techniques, process and protocols for the preparation of solutions, syrups, suppositories, and a wide variety of topical preparations for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. Requires the ability to understand and perform tasks associated with a wide variety of formulae and recipes developed to produce, label and evaluate the quality of pharmaceuticals not otherwise available from manufacturers in a form required for patient care. Manufacture all products requiring compounding, which are made in large batches for more than one patient. This involves interpretation of the physician's order, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients, mixing ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspecting the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, labeling the product, maintaining records of the manufacturing process, and applying the product for delivery. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24530F 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. 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. 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 when determining the grade of candidate. GS-6 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 designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. 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. Preferred Experience: Hospital or Community pharmacy experience References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. 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 Northport VA Medical Center 79 Middleville Road Building 200 Northport, NY 11768 US
• Name: Maritza Cazares
• Phone: 718-584-9000 X6668
• Email: [email protected]