The Certified Research Pharmacy Technician has a primary focus of providing exceptional care to our veterans enrolled in clinical trials at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. The Research Pharmacy Technician is responsible for managing inventory of investigational agents, technical direction for study protocols; maintaining protocol records; performs investigational agent distribution, preparation, and dispensing activities; communicating with study teams; and internal audits.

Duties

A. Research Investigational Provides technical assistance following clinical trial protocols, manages records, creates, and maintains study binders according to regulatory requirements. Maintains dispensing records to ensure accuracy for tracking and accountability of all research medications. Interprets research pharmacy orders to assemble materials; prepare, package, label, and complete required documentation; include required worksheets; and arranges the finished prescriptions in an organized manner for the Pharmacist to verify. Assists in processing of investigational research medication requests, filling orders, which includes randomized blinding, preparation of sterile products and completes the prescription process by verification of research participant prior to dispensing to patient or treatment area. Utilizes knowledge base to alert pharmacist to potential issues, 2 including name alerts, product shortages, errors in research orders or documentation and computer entry discrepancies. Comprehensive knowledge with VA policy and regulatory requirements for handling and checking in shipments of medications and supplies, as well as verifies accuracy of shipments, rotating stock and assures the proper storage of all items. Ensures the integrity and compliance of the investigational medication inventory, receiving shipments, reconciling invoices, monitoring expiring stock, and disposing of returned or unused investigational agents in accordance with established guidelines and procedures. Quarantines expired or damaged investigational items from stock. Facilitates communication with sponsor and completes appropriate documentation, as required. Maintains competencies for performing aseptic technique for sterile preparations with hazardous and non-hazardous drugs. Participates in glove fingertip and media fill testing, maintains competencies passing didactic practical skill assessment initially and annually thereafter. B. Other Duties Demonstrates ability to operate, utilize, and care for all pharmacy equipment. Maintains a neat, organized work environment which includes return of investigational agent containers to appropriate storage. Completes all required TMS training on a timely basis and maintains certifications. Assigned work area is not restricted to the Research and Investigational section of pharmacy service and may be assigned to other general technician duties throughout pharmacy work areas as required by patient care needs during staffing shortages to maintain the consistency of services as authorized by the Chief of Pharmacy service. Perform other duties as assigned. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Relocation Incentive: Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 12 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: 1 to 2 days PP Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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: 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. 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. 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 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: GS-08 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07)in working autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties; mentoring and training lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting; assisting advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participating in performance improvement initiatives; using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy; functioning as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy. DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs listed below: 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 NOVEMBER 07,2023 PART II APPENDIX G28. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital 2500 Overlook Terrace Madison, WI 53705 US
• Name: Terry Webster
• Phone: 910-885-5732
• Email: [email protected]