The Rotational Inpatient Pharmacy Technician is a highly trained technician responsible for coverage of various positions in the inpatient pharmacy, including IV sterile compounding, controlled substance dispensing, triage for internal phone calls, unit dose medication packaging and distribution. The incumbent is responsible for delivering excellent customer service, will use appropriate judgment and skills to complete technical functions, and provide cross coverage in multiple areas.

Duties

Major Duties: Maintains competence in all operational aspects of pharmacy distribution services including equipment maintenance, materials handling, automation, distribution, labeling, packaging, documentation, controlled substance accountability, and unit dose management. Demonstrates knowledge of policies and procedures related to IV compounded sterile preparation (CSP), aseptic technique, USP 797 /800 requirements, controlled substance management, and unit dose medication distribution. Prepares IV medications and other CSPs, including hazardous drugs, using proper aseptic technique. Performs accurate product selection, dosage calculations, and compounding of agents utilizing written procedural guidelines. Maintains competence in appropriate preparation, beyond use dating (BUD) and disposal. Properly utilizes Personal Protective Equipment, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, and advanced knowledge of specialized techniques and procedures required for the safe handling of cytotoxic agents including negative pressure technique, hazardous waste disposal, and cytotoxic spill response. Utilizes pharmacy equipment appropriately in support of compounding CSPs (ie BAXA TPN compounder, BD IV Prep) and ensures correct procedures are followed. Applies safe handling when working with hazardous materials and can reference the Material Safety Data sheets. Conducts regular physical inventory of medications/supplies to ensure necessary stock levels are maintained and communicates with procurement staff regarding any issues. Triages internal phone calls in inpatient pharmacy, referring to a pharmacist when appropriate. Prints, labels, and transports unit dose medications, IV prepacks, and bulk items for inpatient distribution. Participates in the monitoring of refrigerator temperatures utilizing available software (ie Viewpoint) as assigned. Inventories, replenishes, and changes out Emergency Crash Carts. Responsible for controlled substance inventory management, handling, disposal, and distribution while adhering to Federal law, FDA, VA, and DEA regulations. Conducts regular controlled substance inventories. Resolves discrepancies as necessary and reports any such discrepancies to pharmacy management. Ensures controlled substance stock is in date and properly stored and secured according to policy, USP and manufacturer recommendations. Assists and complies with all controlled substance inspectors and promptly compiles reports when requested. Demonstrates the ability to troubleshoot when automated equipment malfunctions. Requests service and assistance from the supporting vendor. Assists with the training, orientation and re-training (if needed) of employees in the Inpatient Pharmacy according to the Pharmacy Department competencies, policies and procedures. Works and communicates effectively with others while remaining courteous, tactful, and understanding when interacting with others, even in potentially difficult/volatile situations. Effectively organizes workload, solves problems, and achieves established goals Completes monthly ward inspections and any required mandatory training and education. Work Schedule: Full Time, Rotational; Days, Evenings, Weekends and Holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required **Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis until the closing date of this open continuous announcement, as long as vacancies exist.**

Requirements

Qualifications

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: None Required. 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. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/ registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists." 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: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation 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 required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such 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. 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. 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. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-7 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6), which includes, but know limited to: Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice; Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation; Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment; Knowledge of basic inventory procedures; and Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44lbs), use of fingers, standing, specific visual requirements, depth perception

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 Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Ken Johnson
• Phone: 612-467-2294
• Email: [email protected]