Pharmacy Technician serve Sheridan VA Healthcare System by assigned clinical duties and rotating through assignments in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, functioning independently within each area. Technician are responsible for functions including inpatient medication preparation and distribution, sterile intravenous admixture preparation, automated equipment use and maintenance, filling of outpatient controlled substances in preparation for pharmacist verification, mail order rejects

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Outpatient Pharmacy Functions Outpatient Prescription Preparation: Reads prescription and then retrieves repackaged, labeled container or bulk stock container and measures proper amounts into a smaller container. Pharmacists perform a final check of the work. Reads individual prescriptions and determines kind, strength, and dosage of drug to be dispensed. Applies pharmacy policy limitations. Obtains correct stock container, counts or pours correct amount of medication, and placing medication in an appropriately sized container. Correctly packages medications for shipment to patients or to Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Knowledge of special packing techniques for various medications; e.g., liquids, flammables, hazardous, and narcotics. Ensures adherence to facility, service, and postal regulations governing shipment. Adheres to federal and VA policy (USP 800) for the management and regular use of all hazardous medications, to include appropriate labeling, storage and destruction. Utilizes pharmacy information systems to answer patient questions related to status of their medication, completion date, package tracking. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including ScriptPro outpatient pharmacy automation. Ensures that information such as generic name of drug, manufacturer's name, lot number, control number, shipment number are properly recorded on log books and on labels. Uses appropriate Opioid pain note templates and documents accurate data in computer entry system for use by medical providers to reorder high risk medications. Renews or flags maintenance medications under medical providers per local policy. Utilizes pharmacy phone system efficiently and with appropriate customer service in line with VA ICARE values. Inpatient Pharmacy Functions Replenish and update stock in automated dispensing cabinets. Accurately packages unit dose medications utilizing unit dose packaging machine for all inpatient units. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas. Includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated medications on inpatient wards and through inpatient pharmacy storage cabinets. Compounds sterile products in accordance with federal and VA policy (USP 797). Performs all quality control measures, to include using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and performing and documenting cleaning procedures. Conducts monthly ward inspection of patient care areas. Monitors refrigerator temperature and maintains destruction receptacles (Cactus-Sink) on in-patient care areas. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts. Ensures that information such as generic name of drug, manufacturer's name, lot number, control number, shipment number are properly recorded on log books and on labels. Reads and interprets orders, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Receives supplies, checking for shortages, tampering, breakage, deterioration, or expiration. Operates and maintains complicated unit dose packaging machines, and inpatient pharmacy automation equipment. Utilizes all pharmacy equipment according to manufacturer, facility, and service policies and procedures. Distributes inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances according to established pharmacy procedures. Academic/Teaching/Training Responsible for the self-development, mandatory training, and education necessary to maintain licensure, stay current with the practice of pharmacy and Joint Commission standards, and meet facility training requirements. Coordinates training new employees in duties and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians. Other Significant Responsibilities Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in healthcare system and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Represents the Healthcare System at professional/program community group/events and committees. Additional duties may be assigned by the Chief, Pharmacy Service and the Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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. (1) None required. (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Pharmacy Technician, GS-03. Education and Experience. (a) One year of post-secondary education. OR (b) Six months of general experience. OR (c) Student Technician. A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time, part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individual's program. OR (d) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Pharmacy Technician, GS-04. (1) Education and Experience. (a) Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g., 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses). OR (b) Completion of one of the following: i Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR ii Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. American Society of Health System Pharmacists® (ASHP), American Pharmacist Association (APHA), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs. NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are not actual certifications. OR iii One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to follow policies and procedures. (b) Ability to maintain appropriate files. (c) Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals. (d) Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions. (e) Ability to operate office software/equipment to include, computers, software applications and printers. Pharmacy Technician, GS-05. (1) Education or Experience. (a) Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g., 48 semester hours of science, mathematics, pharmacy) or a bachelor's degree. OR (b) An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training). OR (c) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations. (b) Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas. (c) Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical and proprietary names of drug). (d) Ability to fill prescriptions. (e) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight. Pharmacy Technician, GS-06. (1) Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. (b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) 3 years of Pharmacy Technician Experience References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 November 07, 2023 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 3 to GS 6. Physical Requirements: See Additional Information below for Physical Requirements.

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 Sheridan VA Medical Center 1898 Fort Road Sheridan, WY 82801 US
• Name: Aaron Lavoie
• Phone: 207-450-2817
• Email: [email protected]