This position functions primarily in patient care areas and Pharmacy Service within the health care organization.

Duties

VAEKHCS 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. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Major Duties & Responsibilities a. Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. b. For unit dose medications, independently fills without routine secondary review first dose medications, missing doses, and unit dose carts for inpatient areas. Performs final review of unit dose medications that are repackaged or dispensed by lower graded technicians. Repackages medications in unit-of-use packaging, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label including barcodes; and records required data on Pharmacy's replenishment/repackaging logs. All repackaged unit dose medications will be checked by a pharmacist or another advance practice technician before dispensing. Documents the items dispensed in the unit dose computer package. c. Prepares all IV admixtures, including cytotoxic agents, investigational drugs, and other hazardous medications, in accordance with established policy and procedures. Adheres to appropriate aseptic technique and sterile procedures in preparing and handling of sterile products. Selects and measures appropriate ingredients, prepares the admixture, inspects the final product for accuracy and clarity, and affixes proper label including barcode. After final check by a pharmacist, delivers the sterile products to the appropriate areas. d. Maintains pre-determined levels of automatic replenishment/ward stock medications for patient care areas. Independently restocks without routine secondary review the patient care areas to established inventory levels. Obtains the correct medications or items for restocking, affixes proper label including barcodes, and delivers the medication to the appropriate patient care area. Monitors inventory needs in patient care areas. Places stock in proper storage areas, rotates stock, and removes/replaces outdated items. Documents the items dispensed in the automatic replenishment/ward stock computer package. f. Compounds and/or reconstitutes simple oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the drug or solution to be used. Performs final review of simple, non-sterile compounds prepared by lower graded technicians. g. Receives new stock of controlled substances in accordance with VHA regulations. Records all transactions in the VistA Controlled Substances Software package. Ensures the receipt is witnessed by an accountable officer, or designee. h. Operates and performs preventive maintenance on complicated pharmacy equipment. Provides technical assistance to biomedical and manufacturer service technicians when equipment requires repair or replacement. i. Coordinates the completion of all monthly ward inspections. Performs ward inspections as assigned monthly. Removes/replaces outdated items and excessive quantities of medications and documents findings using appropriate forms in accordance with established policy and procedures. j. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. k. Monitors refrigerator temperatures and documents temperatures on a log if appropriate daily in pharmacy. l. Assists collecting drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Participates in quality management and performance improvement activities by participating in service and medical center action teams. m. Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Mon-Fri and evenings, weekends and holidays as needed by the department. Telework: Not Available 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

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: 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. Not required at the GS-6 or below. 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). 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. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Pharmacy Technician Qualifying education or experience: One year of post-secondary education. OR, Six months of general experience. OR, Student Technician. A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time, part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individual's program. GS-4 Pharmacy Technician Qualifying education or experience: Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g., 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses). OR, Completion of one of the following: Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR, Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. American Society of Health System Pharmacists® (ASHP), American Pharmacist Association (APHA), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs. NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are not actual certifications. OR, One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to follow policies and procedures. Ability to maintain appropriate files. Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals. Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions. Ability to operate office software/equipment to include, computers, software applications and printers. GS-5 Pharmacy Technician Qualifying education or experience: Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g., 48 semester hours of science, mathematics, pharmacy) or a bachelor's degree. OR, An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training). OR, One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations. Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas. Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical and proprietary names of drug). Ability to fill prescriptions. Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight. GS-6 Pharmacy Technician Qualifying experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-5). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy ranges from GS-3 through GS-6. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45lbs and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (8 hours per day); kneeling (2 hours per day); repeated bending (4 hours per day); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).

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 VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System 2200 SW Gage Blvd Topeka, KS 66622 US
• Name: Joshua White
• Phone: 843-020-1452
• Email: [email protected]