Job opening: Pharmacy Technician
Salary: $47 526 - 61 780 per year
Published at: Oct 30 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
Pharmacy Technician works in various areas of the pharmacy (eg. inpatient pharmacy, outpatient pharmacy, chemotherapy satellite, various storage areas, offices and patient care areas). The Pharmacy Technician must possess the skills to perform a full range of technical pharmacy duties as well as associated administrative duties in an independent manner to support the pharmaceutical care of the Veterans.
Duties
Major Duties:
Fill and distribute outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products, and supply items.
Inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications.
Preparation of intravenous admixtures to include cytotoxic chemotherapy and both scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs according to established procedures and protocols.
Maintaining stock management, maintenance, and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment.
Provide patient and customer relations.
Collaborate with other health care staff to enhance coordination of comprehensive patient care.
Completes all required VA mandatory training and maintains PTCB certification.
Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am- 4:00pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm or 9:30am - 6:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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 candidates:
(a) 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 (*):
(b) Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above.
(c) 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.
Physical Requirements: The work requires physical exertion such as reaching, standing, walking short and long distance, and climbing to obtain product from moderately high shelving. Occasionally may need to lift up to 40 pounds. The majority of work requires extended periods of standing with short periods of sitting to complete tasks. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical in a pharmacy setting. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns, goggles, gloves, and shoe covers and hair covers to minimize risks.
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 St Cloud VA Medical Center
4801 Veterans Drive
St Cloud, MN 56303
US
- Name: Monique Carr
- Phone: 2163756197
- Email: [email protected]
Map