The Pharmacy Technician works in a large tertiary care medical center. The medical center is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the Rutgers College of Pharmacy. The Pharmacy has three locations at East Orange, Lyons, and the James J. Howard Outpatient Clinic in Brick, NJ. The technician may be asked to work at any of the sites if needed.

Duties

Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: Dispensing Function: 1) 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. For unit-dose medications, performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit-dose carts), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review. 2) Compounds sterile products, both uncomplicated and complicated, and those associated with a high degree of toxicity such as chemotherapeutic drugs. The incumbent consistently displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique. Depending on the protocol manufacturing steps may be completed without need for certification by another person. Is competent to perform Sterile Compounding meeting USP 797 and USP 800 requirements. 3) Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. Is competent to perform Sterile Compounding meeting USP 795 requirements. 4) Performs final verification of simple non-sterile compounds prepared by lower level technicians. 5) Dispenses ward stock according to par levels. Rotates stock and checks expirations dates when delivering stock. 6) Dispenses controlled substances in accordance with all policies and laws governing the receipt, storage and control of these drugs when called upon to do so. 7) Conducts monthly ward inspections of patient care areas. 8) Inventories and replenishes emergency carts without a second review. 9) Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes working in conjunction with the inpatient supervisor and QM pharmacist. 10) Operates automated dispensing equipment such as the Omnicell, TCGRx and Optifill to accomplish dispensing function. Prepackages medication using safe work practices. Performs other assigned duties. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: VARIABLE (Rotating Shifts/Weekends/Holidays) - To be discussed in the interview Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21L78-A 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. None required. 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). 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: 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-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. 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. Preferred Experience: STERILE AND/OR HAZARDOUS DRUG COMPOUNDING PREFERRED. PTCB CERTIFICATION REQUIRED References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28, dated November 7, 2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. 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. Work Environment: Work is performed within an outpatient/inpatient Pharmacy setting and within floors/wards/clinics throughout the medical centers. The position requires patient and staff interaction which requires universal precautions and other normal safety precautions. The incumbent wears personal protective equipment (PPE) when in contact with patients with a contagious disease or when in contact with contaminated medication. Safe work habits are practiced. The area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. The work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Education

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

Contacts

• Address VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Aleni Salcedo
• Phone: 917 859 9405
• Email: [email protected]