The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is seeking to fill two full-time Pharmacy Technicians. The position functions in areas which service both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, specialty clinic and the Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOC).

Duties

John J. Pershing VAMC is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. This position is assigned to Pharmacy Service. Incumbent functions in areas which serve inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, specialty clinic and the Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs). Duties include but are not limited to: Unit Dose Medication Management: Performs initial review of medication to be dispensed to inpatient areas, and/ fills pyxis independently for a secondary review by pharmacist and delivers/loads into pyxis on floor. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts for final review by pharmacist Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment such as the TCGRX, Script Pro, Laminar flow hoods, and Pyxis control dispensing units. Responsible for the automatic replenishment of oral, injectable and other medications. Responsible for and to complete monthly ward inspections to ensure approved ward stock drugs are properly stored. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution Prepares and fills inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances, aids in scheduled and non-scheduled inventories, and interacts with CS inspection officials Sterile Product Compounding: Responsible for manufacturing uncomplicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, other complex pharmaceuticals, etc. This involves interpretation of the physician's order, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients, mixing ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspecting the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labeling the product, maintaining records of the manufacturing process, and supplying the product for delivery. Uses either standard protocol or judgment to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. Follows standardized formulas and procedures in weighing, measuring and mixing bulk and individual quantities of routinely used solutions, ointments, or powders. Uses stock. Ambulatory Care: Prepackages tablets, capsules, liquids and ointments. Courteously receives prescriptions and refill requests from veterans at the outpatient window and over the telephone. Answers most telephone calls. Has the ability to answer routine inquiries from doctors, nurses and other professional staff. Directs more complex questions to the pharmacist on duty. Sets up prescriptions. Reads prescription, retrieves repackaged, labeled container, or bulk stock container and measures proper amount into a smaller container. Pharmacists performs a final check of the work. Reads individual prescriptions and determines kind, strength and dosage of drug to be dispensed. Obtains correct stock container, counts or pours correct amount of medication, and placing medication in an appropriate sized container. Contents and labels are complete for a final check by the pharmacist. STERILE MANUFACTURING: Requires specialized technical working knowledge of sterile compounding techniques necessary for pharmaceuticals which will be administered by injection to patients. Requires advanced technical working knowledge of hazardous medications and chemicals which can pose a danger or threat to those who prepare, deliver, administer and/or who receive treatment. Knowledge includes appropriate receipt, storage, handling and disposal. Requires the knowledge to prepare complex solutions. Solutions must be prepared exactly as ordered due to their critical functions. Proper sterile technique must be used to ensure the solution is not contaminated and potentially dangerous to the patient. BULK COMPOUNDING: Requires specialized technical working knowledge of compounding techniques, process and protocols for the preparation of solutions, syrups, suppositories, and a wide variety of topical preparations. Receives, checks for accuracy, and puts daily order on shelves Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8AM-430PM WITH OCCASIONAL HOLIDAY AND OCCASIONAL WEEKENDS (OCCASIONAL LATE NIGHTS 9:30AM-6PM) Telework: Position Not Suitable for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: a. 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). b. 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. c. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). d. 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. e. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Pharmacy Technician, GS-06. (1) Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. (2) 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. (3) Assignments. Pharmacy technicians at the full performance level may fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards dated November 07, 2023.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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).

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 John J Pershing VA Medical Center 1500 North Westwood Boulevard Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 US
• Name: Rebecca Hampton
• Phone: 573-413-3921
• Email: [email protected]