This Pharmacy Technician position is in the Pharmacy Service at the VA Maine Healthcare System located at the Togus, ME campus location. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

The pharmacy technician must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to process and fill orders for prescriptions and supplies, operate and maintain dispensing equipment, operate and use Pharmacy information systems, maintain appropriate files and records and prepare sterile compounds under supervision. Duties include, but are not limited to: Outpatient Pharmacy: Consistently fills orders, checking for integrity and accuracy (correct drug, strength, dosage form, amount and patient). Perform regular cleaning and maintenance of equipment and supplies. Handle controlled substances in compliance with all policies, procedures and laws including security, storage, dispensing, verification, reconciliation, and documentation. Perform non-sterile compounding including, but not limited to ointments, lotions, solutions, etc. Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of pharmacy by cleaning of glassware, spatulas, bottles, shelves, counters, cabinets and all other items or areas associated with prescription processing. Understand principles of inventory control; monitors for changes in pattern of use. Deal appropriately with direct and telephone inquiries from patients, Medical Center staff and others referring any unanswerable questions concerning professional practice to a pharmacist. Follow all pharmacy policies and procedures regarding handling, storage, dispensing and disposal of hazardous medications according to USP. Inpatient Pharmacy: Follow policies and procedures for preparation of sterile products including USP and such as hand washing, garbing/gowning, cleanliness and sanitation standards of room(s)/area(s) and hazardous substance handling and aseptic technique. Independently calculates volume and/or dose needed. Maintain paperwork related to preparation, dispensing and storing. Have extensive knowledge of safe dosages, frequencies and storage requirements for medications handled. Prepare items requiring packing into unit of use prior to dispensing or storing while following all policies and procedures regarding handling, labeling, expiry dating, storage and record keeping. Independently calculates volume and/or dose needed. Handle pre-exchanges, missing doses, Automated Dispensing Cabinet (ADC) and ward stock requests accurately and timely, preparing items for final check. Deliver/ship all orders in an accurate and timely manner. Perform monthly assigned inspections (ward/clinic/pharmacy). Assist procurement technician with daily order receipt and reconciliation with purchase order and restocks shelves, rotating stock appropriately. Communicate efficiently with all internal and external customers to triage and resolve any potential problems concerning any step of the pharmacy process from ordering to distribution while minimizing delays to patient care. Assist in drug recall procedures, examining shelf stock and pulling recalled drugs from shelf. Incumbent may be asked to assist pharmacists in contacting patients involved in a recall event. Work Schedule: Full Time - Multiple Daytime Shifts Available Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Yes, Telework Ad-Hoc work can be performed on an as needed basis anywhere other than a VA facility or using VA-leased space. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement# F03982 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in an AFGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a). 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: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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 DETERMINATION. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be met for the GS 6 Level. Experience: Have one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-5), and must fully meet the KSA's at the GS 5 level. i. Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. ii. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. iii. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. iv. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs at the GS 6 Level: i. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. ii. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. iii. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. iv. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. v. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. vi. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 Physical Requirements: Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical in accordance with VA policy. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for a prolonged period of time, lifting/carrying/pushing of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lb., and bending/stooping. IV room duties require manual dexterity and repetitive motions. Some of the work may be sedentary in nature. Work Environment: Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to communicable diseases, loud noises, biohazards, hazardous chemicals and hazardous medications common in a healthcare environment. Such exposure will be mitigated in accordance with local policies and operating procedures as per USP standards, OSHA guidance and local risk assessment practices. Standard safety precautions and PPE are required and specified per local policies.

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 Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: Donna Davies
• Phone: (603) 624-4366 X5077
• Email: [email protected]