This position is in Pharmacy Program at James J. Peters VA Medical Center, under the supervision of a pharmacist. The incumbent is responsible for providing and coordinating complete pharmaceutical care activities in the Compounded Sterile Preparation area to ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements (VHA, Joint Commission, USP 797 and 800, EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, and FDA) and pharmacy policies and procedures relating to sterile product preparation.

Duties

Duties include but not limited: Using aseptic technique, compounds uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or another modality as required. Prepares sterile ophthalmic preparations and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals such as total parenteral nutrition and cardioplegia solutions. Correctly interprets orders, selects and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in an aseptic and effective 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. Understands specific handling considerations for storage, distribution, and disposal of medications. Consistently displays competence with good aseptic technique manufacturing practices through demonstration and/or actual work performance. Technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in compounding sterile products including but not limited to admixing pumps, needles, syringes, and various compounding supplies, etc. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment (Baxa Pump, AutoComp 6 Compounder, and laminar flow hoods). Ensures that technicians assigned to compound sterile products are properly trained and that they adhere to the fundamental practices and precautions outlined in USP Standards. The Specialist technician conducts glove fingertip and media fill testing: appropriate aseptic technique is assessed, and test results will be communicated and filed. Also, the specialist will ensure that all staff and students pass didactic, practical skill assessment initially, followed by an annual assessment. The specialist will be responsible for the development of training plans and will keep supervisory staff informed of all individuals not meeting the Standard. The incumbent will maintain necessary forms and records for Laminar flow hood cleaning and certification, clean room environmental monitoring logs, and training records. The process may utilize VISTA and personal computer skills in the generation of reports. The incumbent participates in airborne particulate and microbial testing and surface testing and ensures the cleaning schedules are met. The specialist will be responsible for the Sterile Products Quality Assurance Program. All necessary records and documents will be correctly filled out and maintained. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Weekends and Holidays Telework: This is not a Telework position Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 37811F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: 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: (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. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: G28-3 November 07, 2023 VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28 (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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 appointment in paragraph 5, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Pharmacy Technician, GS-07 (1) Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: Compounded Sterile Products 3yr Hospital Experience Certified Pharmacy Technician References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28, dated November 7, 2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 7. Physical Requirements: Work requires long periods of sitting, standing and walking, bending, twisting, and carrying items up to 25lbs. Fine motor skills for the manipulation of products are also required.

Education

IMPORTANT: There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Bronx VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx, NY 10468 US
• Name: Aleni Salcedo
• Phone: 917 859 9405
• Email: [email protected]