The Primary Purpose of the Position is: Accomplish duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs), unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices for Inpatient care areas. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Inpatient Pharmacy Section Pharmacy Operations (Inpatient); Pharmacy Service, (VANTHCS), Dallas, Texas.
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. Grandfather Provision. 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: GS-07 Pharmacy Technician In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Certification: 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). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 1-year previous inpatient hospital pharmacy experience. Experience with pharmacy automation. Knowledge and experience with pharmacy information/operating systems. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS07. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting: (15-44 pounds); Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight Pulling (less than 30 minutes); Pushing (less than 30 minutes); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties include but are not limited to: Pharmaceutical: Interprets, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for pharmacist verification of outpatient prescription orders, inpatient orders, and clinic orders as required per policy. Responds to questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel about drug distribution. Provides patient education on topics like the refill process and relay questions outside of technician scope to the pharmacist. Ensures adherence to appropriate storage guidelines including high-risk, look-alike sound-alike, and refrigerated items as per USP and VA guidelines. Reconstitutes/prepares oral medications, ensuring accurate calculations and documentation for final pharmacist verification. Efficiently and accurately manages cart fill, pre-exchanges, missing doses, and handle cart fill returns as directed by supervisor. Medication Order Fulfillment: Prepares medication orders properly with the correct drug, strength, dosage form, quantity, auxiliary labels. Assures that the correct medication is filled by using appropriate and established safety measures and checks. Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability (to include appropriate labeling and documentation) before submitting for final check by a pharmacist. Ensures appropriate review of medications to be dispensed to hospital areas per service level procedures. Ward / Clinic Stock Management: Correctly inventories, assesses, and determines the need for ward and clinic stock replenishment. Performs and documents inspection of assigned hospital areas for medication storage. Removes all expired and deteriorated drugs from the automated dispensing stations. Sterile Compounding: Compounds parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or other as required. Competence is demonstrated by utilizing correct application of aseptic technique standards to maintain sterile equipment, sterile working environment, and preparation of sterile products utilizing sterile technique in actual work performance. Controlled Substances Activities: Documents all controlled substance-related transactions in line with VA and DEA guidelines, ensuring accurate inventory counts during restocking. Always safeguard controlled substances, ensuring they are never left unsecured. Ensures that proper handoff occurs when receiving or delivering controlled substances, always assuring that these medications are never left unsecured. Reports unresolvable discrepancies to immediate area supervisor for resolution. Assist in investigating, witnessing, and resolving discrepancies. Complies with all laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory, and accountability of controlled substances. Administrative and Education/Training: Assists in training and orientation of new technicians, interns, and students. Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program. Build and maintain productive working relationships across departments, resolving queries and serving as a trusted resource. Use VA integrated software and Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) for various clinical and administrative tasks. Work Schedule: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm or 2:30 pm - 11:00 pm; Rotating weekends/holidays. Tour may be further adjusted or extended to meet patient care needs. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51416-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized