The incumbent serves as the Pharmacy Technician in the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP). Incumbent is a highly skilled technician and works under minimal supervision. Preferred candidates are certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and maintain their national Pharmacy Technician Recertification. Learn more about this agency

Duties

Functions:

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 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: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Pharmacy Technician, GS-03. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you may use both education and/or experience to qualify; equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. Education and 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. Pharmacy Technician, GS-04. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you may use both education and/or experience to qualify; equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. Education and Experience: Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g. 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses). OR, Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR, Successful completion of 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 the next lower grade level, GS-03. In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. Pharmacy Technician, GS-05 In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you may use both education and/or experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying.Education and 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, GS-04. In addition to the education or experience above, 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. Pharmacy Technician, GS-06 In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you may use both education and/or experience to qualify; equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. Education and Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-05. In addition to the education or experience above, 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. Preferred Experience: Although not required, preferred experience, concentration, or a candidate's area of interest: Preferred candidates are certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and maintain their national Pharmacy Technician Recertification. Pharmacy Operations & Automation Inventory Control & Management References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-06. Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a highly mechanized warehouse setting around production machinery. Moderate noise and traffic require attention to safety. Some work areas involve a moderate risk requiring the exercise of safety precautions when operating or working around the automated equipment (i.e., accumulators, moving belts, etc.). Wearing gloves is mandatory when handling specific medications. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. and bending/stooping/reaching. Hazardous Drugs The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous drugs in final dosage form at this workplace, particularly in areas where routine pharmacy tasks, such as handling stock bottles, opening bottles to count tablets or capsules, preparation of prescriptions for dispensing, waste disposal, and spill response are performed.

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 Charleston VA CMOP 3725 Rivers Ave Suite 2 North Charleston, SC 29405 US
• Name: David Califano
• Phone: (561) 884-1087
• Email: [email protected]