This Pharmacy Technician (Control Substance) position is located in Pharmacy Service, Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN. This position provides support to Inpatient, Outpatient and Telephone Care Pharmacy. This position requires that the Pharmacy Technician (Control Substance) demonstrates a concerned and critical attitude toward accuracy, detailed control and loss management along with advanced problem solving skills to resolve any inventory discrepancies.

Duties

This position provides support to Inpatient, Outpatient and Telephone Care Pharmacy. The Pharmacy Technician (Control Substance) is assigned as a controlled substance technician. Employees at the GS-7/8 level are considered highly specialized pharmacy technicians who, under the authority of the Chief of Pharmacy Service and the immediate supervisor, are responsible for the first line management of controlled substances handled by the pharmacy. The Pharmacy Technician (Control Substance) works primarily independently with minimal supervision and receives guidance from registered pharmacists when handling more complex patients and procedures. Mandated accountability and control of scheduled drugs makes this a particularly sensitive position that is considered critical by all levels of management. The importance of this duty is emphasized by the fact that the controlled substance vaults are the subject of monthly, independent inspection to ensure compliance with all Federal, VA and facility regulations. Assists in other patient care areas as deemed necessary t maitain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts, stock areas, and automated devices without a second review. Responsible for timekeeping duties as assigned, which accurate recording and maintenance of information related to time and attendance. Adheres to the physical security standards for control substances and physical vault storage areas. Through knowledge and use of automated systems in use of controlled substance inventory, dispensing, stocking. Performs clerical or technical supply support work necessary to ensure the effective operation of ongoing supply activities. The majority of the duties of this position are performed in the controlled substance storage areas of the Pharmacy Service (Inpatient and Outpatient vault). Work Schedule: Sunday - Saturday, Midnight - 1159, rotating weekends and holidays. Specific Tour of Duty is determined by the Service. Telework: Not Authorized 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: None required. 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: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR, National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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: 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. 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 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. 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. 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. In addition to the basic requirements, the below qualification requirements must be met at the grade in which you are applying. Experience. For the GS-07, Pharmacy Control Substance Technician must possess one year experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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. Experience. For the GS-08, Pharmacy Control Substance Technician must possess one year experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Controlled Substance management, inventory management and timekeeping experience. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 (Change 159), dated November 7, 2023. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of the GS-7 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: The work involves considerable walking, bending, standing and stooping. Packages lifted occasionally weigh up to 40 pounds. Dexterity is required for the operation of Pharmacy equipment. 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 Memphis VA Medical Center 1030 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 US
• Name: Charles Owens
• Phone: 407-453-4928
• Email: [email protected]