The Pharmacy Technician - Specialty, functions above the full performance level for Certified Pharmacy Technicians. At this level the incumbent will be required to demonstrate independent technical judgement successfully and consistently (without the need for ready supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex and difficult practices and procedures for pharmacy technicians.

Duties

Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Major Duties: The incumbent will be a highly specialized technician who is responsible for the first line management and operation of automated dispensing equipment, narcotic accountability, compounding, and/or any other higher-level technician functions as needed. Responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures for the dispensing and storage of drugs in the narcotic areas of use, automated equipment, compounding, and procurement. Understanding of the operation and capabilities of the specialized equipment and applicable federal regulations regarding within these areas is critical. Understanding of narcotic areas of use, federal rules/regulations regarding narcotic substances, software systems, software upgrades, troubleshooting hardware/software problems, minor repairs, automation recalibration, routine maintenance, and USP 797/800. Works directly with police services, VA Office of the Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Agency, automation companies', and/or technical/clinical support services to troubleshoot and resolve issues and to maximize efficiency. Maintains competencies with chemotherapy preparation ensuring all policies and procedures are followed including, aseptic technique, safe handling, and appropriate chemotherapy documentation with each admixture. Ensures inventory management of controlled substances, how to establish usage rates, determine stock levels, understand expiration date requirements, identify manufacturer/distributor sources, concepts involving inventory maintenance, and how to handle medication recalls. Maintains general technical knowledge of medication brand names, generic names, medication use, dosage forms, and general/special storage requirements. Maintains an understanding of applicable systems of weights and measures, as well as medical terminology to be able to screen/interpret/verify physician orders. Actively participate in writing, updating, training, and implementation of facility policy and procedures pertaining to automation. Run, review, and maintain automation reports and reviews this information with the pharmacy supervisor to assist in collecting data for workload reports. Perform other duties of a pharmacy technician as assigned to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services when required. Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm, with possible evening/night/weekend/holiday shifts. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51443-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) 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 (GS-7 and above): 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Physical Requirements. See physical requirements listed below. Grandfather Provision. 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). A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for the GS-8 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) AND all demonstrate the KSAs below. GS-8 Experience: You must possess at least 1 year of experience at the GS-07 level must include examples of: 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, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. GS-8 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must possess and demonstrate ALL the following KSAs in their resume: 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.) 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: 3 years in: IV Sterile Compounding experience OR IV Sterile Compounding certification; Chemo/Hazardous Sterile Compounding experience OR Chemo/Hazardous IV compounding certification; FastPak (or similar); Omnicell (or similar); and Inpatient pharmacy experience. 1-year Narcotic Technician experience. Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, GS-0661, dated November 7, 2023. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Light, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (3 hours), Pushing (3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Kneeling (1 hours), Repeated bending (1 hour), Both legs required, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement (specify) DVA Correctable to 20/40, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted). Working closely with others; Working around machinery with moving parts; and protracted or irregular hours of work.

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 Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]