The Columbia VA Health Care System (VAHCS) opened in 1932 at its current location. The facility has 204 skilled nursing beds, which includes acute medical, surgical, psychiatric, and long-term care. The hospital provides primary, secondary, and some tertiary care. The facility is a complex teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology, education, and research.

Duties

The Columbia VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for the position of an Inpatient Pharmacy Technician. The incumbent will provide support to inpatient pharmacy operations by performing duties such as properly packaging and documentation of single unit of use medications for inpatient use, maintenance and operation of automated prepackaging storage and dispensing equipment, inventory and replenishment of emergency crash carts, aseptic admixture preparation including cytotoxic agents, automatic and on-demand ward stock replenishment, rotating stock and checking expiration dates routinely, delivering medications to inpatient wards and outpatient clinics, and conducting routine ward inspections. The incumbent may also have to assist in other areas including outpatient pharmacy services to ensure service needs are met. Outpatient functions include filling and labeling medications for verification by a pharmacist, assisting patients at the pharmacy pick-up window, cleaning and refilling the outpatient automated dispensing machines, and preparing outpatient-controlled substances in accordance with facility policy for pharmacist verification. The incumbent will also perform other duties as assigned by management. The Inpatient Pharmacy Technician is expected to be a multifunctional technician and will perform at the full performance level in the Pharmacy. Work Schedule: Primary tour is 8:00am to 4:30pm (Monday - Friday). Tour of duty is subject to change based on agency's needs. May be required to work the following weekday, weekends, holiday, evening, and night shift tours as needed to provide coverage during periods of staffing shortages: 0700-1530, 0730-1600, 0800-1630, 0830-1700, 0930-1800, 1230-2100, 1400-2230, 1530-midnight, 8pm-8am, midnight-8am). Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD50482A 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. 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: 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 (*): Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities1. 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. Preferred Experience: One year of experience working as a certified pharmacy technician in an Inpatient Pharmacy setting. Experience working with pharmacy automation equipment, preparing intravenous admixtures, and knowledge of USP 797/800 standards is preferred. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds, Light lifting under 15 pounds, Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds, pushing 2 hours, reaching over shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking 6 hours, standing 6 hours, repeated bending 4 hours, both legs required, near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability, operation of computers, sitting (> 4 hours), repetitive fine hand motor, phone Calls (>4 hours), constant noise, working closely with others, rotating 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts, may require working with hazardous medications and a respirator mask.

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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Leslie Hawkins
• Phone: 210-439-6422
• Email: [email protected]