This position is located in Pharmacy Service at the Salem VA Medical Center. This position provides support to the Pharmacy Service. The Pharmacy Technician (Chemotherapy) is a Certified Pharmacy Technician with the ability to work in the area of chemotherapeutic agents and applies knowledge of pharmacy practice, VA regulations, and hospital procedures.

Duties

DUTIES: Assist inspectors, review teams and other staff during routine inquires and inspections. Compounds uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral chemotherapy preparations to be delivered in the finished form such as large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, infusion pump or other modalities as required. Compounds sterile products that are considered hazardous agents. Correctly interprets physician's orders, selects and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process and prepares the product for delivery. Uses USP 797 / 800 or manufacturer requirements, whichever is less, to determine an accurate expiration date for each product prepared. Consistently displays competence with USP 797 and 800 sterile compounding practices and sterile technique through demonstration and/or actual work performance. Depending on the protocols, complexity and nature of preparation, manufacturing steps are completed without the need of immediate oversight. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Utilizes IV compounding automation workflow technology to improve patient safety with barcode scanning and weight-based measurement and also enhance compounding documentation. Applies safe handling when using hazardous materials and can reference the Material Safety Data Sheets. Communicates routinely with CSP Pharmacist, Chemotherapy Pharmacist, Staff Pharmacist and procurement technician in regard to daily inventory to ensure that drug supplies are adequately maintained in sufficient quantities to meet daily usage. Communicates needs for any emergency medications. Properly stores all pharmaceuticals and continuously monitors stock for expired medication. Maintains inventory of sterile supply items required for aseptic gowning. Compounds sterile products that are considered non-hazardous agents for oncology clinic patients and Medical Infusion Clinic patients. Maintains a clean environment for compounding sterile products in compliance with USP 797 and 800. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:45am-3:30pm rotating weekends/holidays Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

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 directly related to the position to be filled. 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 VA Policy. 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 candidates: Pharmacy Technician, GS-7: Experience: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level (GS-6) including the ability to troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action, knowledge of operation/care of automated equipment, ability to follow written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials and routine sterile products, knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts, and knowledge of computerized prescription process. 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 (*): *1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. (KSAs MUST BE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED IN RESUME UNDER DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES IN ORDER TO BE FOUND QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION/GRADE LEVEL). Preferred Experience: PTCB Certification in Sterile Compounding (CSPT) and 1+year(s) experience performing complex non-hazardous and hazardous sterile compounding References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G28.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time up to the 8 hours per day. Must have the manual dexterity and strength to perform IV manipulations. Must be able to bend or kneel repetitively throughout the day. Must be able to lift 40 pounds without difficulty. Must have 20/20 or better naturally or with corrective lenses.

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 Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Kera Madden
• Phone: 540-750-0776
• Email: [email protected]