The Pharmacy Compounding and Drug Distribution Specialist is a certified, highly specialized Technician, and is responsible for the first line management of all controlled substances handled by the Pharmacy for the St. Cloud VA Health Care System. The incumbent is also responsible for the preparation of non-sterile and sterile compounded products handled by Pharmacy.

Duties

Controlled Substances Accurately interprets, fills and readies controlled substance prescriptions with appropriate medications for Pharmacist verification. Effectively coordinates, manages, completes and documents the purchasing of prescription drug products by maintaining a comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Maintains, verifies, stocks and replaces outdated controlled medications from stock, including inpatient wards, storage cabinets and the Pharmacy vault. Maintains accurate electronic inventory through decrementing prescriptions, entering received inventory and transferring to automated dispensing cabinets. Follows policies and procedures for handling the destruction and return of controlled medications. Assists, reviews and makes recommendations in inventory control of controlled substances. Monitors and analyzes orders and usage/distribution patterns for questionable circumstances or unusual trends and communicates potential problems to supervisor. Provides training for Pharmacists, interns, Technicians, inspectors, students and others in controlled substance accountability procedures. Prepares, operates, restocks, and maintains complex automated dispensing cabinets and all necessary equipment supporting pharmaceutical patient care functions. Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing reports and contacting appropriate persons when needed. Reports discrepancies to supervisor, when appropriate. Ensures all controlled substance procedures abide by all local requirements, VISN, OIG and VHA handbook expectations and requirements, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, VA Central Office directives, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requirements, appropriate inventory management practices and other state and local requirements that apply. Maintains security of controlled substances by controlling access to storage areas and ensuring that controlled substances are kept in a locked, supervised area specifically designated for controlled substance storage. Compounding Is knowledgeable in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) , and standards, Pharmacy law, VHA directives and DEA regulations as they relate to practice within the VA Health Care System. Uses aseptic technique to compound sterile products within the IV suite. Prepares sterile ophthalmic preparations and other complex sterile pharmaceutics as appropriate. Correctly interprets orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in an aseptic manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process and supplies the product for delivery. Displays competence with good aseptic technique and manufacturing practices through demonstration and work performance. Maintains technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in compounding sterile products, including but not limited to admixing pumps, needles, syringes, and other compounding supplies. Operates and maintains complicated Pharmacy equipment, including but not limited to laminar flow hoods and compounding software. Ensures that the IV cleanrooms are cleaned daily and appropriate logs are completed for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning. Uses knowledge, skills, and abilities to resolve questionable orders or situations to ensure quality of care. Contacts Pharmacist to obtain clarification on prescriptions, orders or situations that present a possible hazard to patient care. Performs accurate product selection, dosage calculations and compounding of agents utilizing package literature, written procedural guidelines and application of specialized knowledge. Generates proper product identification labeling and assigns accurate stability and handling information, including appropriate auxiliary information to ensure safety and efficacy to the patient and other handlers of the product. Upon completion of the order, contacts the Pharmacist for a final check and coordinates delivery of prepared products to the ward, clinic, or other designated area. Stocks and maintains the preparation areas, reviewing anticipated inventory needs, and effectively coordinates, manages, completes, and documents the purchasing of prescription drug products. Participates in glove fingertip and media fill testing and didactic practical skill assessments. Assists in airborne particulate and microbial testing and surface testing to ensure cleaning schedules are met. Keeps abreast of changes in the Pharmacy Service and maintains general knowledge of VA, DEA, USP and TJC regulations. Work Schedule: Administrative Days Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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) Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-8 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7), which includes, but know limited to: 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. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area in the Definitions Section. Specialized Area. Areas within pharmacy that require advanced knowledge, skills and abilities to ensure a high level of accountability for patient safety, quality of care and/or VHA or other regulatory requirements. Examples include, but are not limited to compounding sterile products, controlled substance dispensing, research, automation, clinical informatics, quality assurance, hazardous medication compounding/management, immunizations and clinical pharmacy assignments. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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: Breeze Hennes
• Phone: (320) 252-1670 X5222
• Email: [email protected]