Pharmacy Technician - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Summary This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Durham, NC Veterans Affairs Medical Center under the Pharmacy Service Line. This position can be assigned to work in any section of the pharmacy service and must be available to work rotating shifts Responsibilities The Pharmacy Technician works within the pharmacy and performs the full range of pharmacy technician functions in support of Pharmacy Service operations. These functions include processing medication orders, controlled substance processing, inventory management, sterile product compounding, and unit dose processing. The pharmacy provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so the incumbent may work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, etc. Some of the major duties of this position include, and are not limited to: Utilizes knowledge of VHA, Durham VA Healthcare Systems and Pharmacy Service regulations and policies concerning pharmaceutical practices in performing day to day functions. Performs duties involved in all facets of unit dose drug distribution, in all areas of the inpatient pharmacy. Conducts ward inspections by inspecting inpatient wards areas for proper storage of medications and documents findings on inspection report form. Uses specialized equipment to package and/or dispense medications and provides required equipment maintenance. Performs substantially all sterile technical operations in the IV rooms of the pharmacy, which serves all areas of the hospital. Based on usage rates, the incumbent maintains levels on bulk intravenous fluids that are stocked in assigned areas. The incumbent receives, reviews, interprets, and prioritizes doctor's orders for IV medications after verified by a pharmacist, informs the clinical pharmacist of any perceived questionable orders, prepares labels, selects IV additives and containers, calculates the amount of medications to be used, mixes and/or prepares IV medications, checks prepared IV admixture for particulate matter and affixes labels to containers for clinical pharmacist checking. Strictly adheres to aseptic technique procedures and performs normal preventive maintenance for the special IV equipment, such as the laminar air flow hood and data processing hardware. Prepares complicated and uncomplicated parenteral admixtures in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringes, ophthalmic and other complex pharmaceuticals (e.g. total parenteral nutrition). Triages patient/Medical center employees' inquiries. Selects/prepares medications in proper dosage sizes, forms, quantities, and delivers to patient care/ward/clinic locations, after clinical pharmacist checking. Fills unit dose medications from storage bins to individual patient drawers, transferring cassettes from pharmacy to medication carts on the nursing station as assigned. Responds appropriately to inquiries from professional staff, patients, and outside parties, other health care professionals, and refers professional-technical questions received to clinical pharmacists. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, including weekends, evenings and holidays Telework: Position not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Preferred Experience: Prior work experience as a Pharmacy Technician PREFERRED. GS-6 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06. Physical Requirements: This position may involve potentially extended periods of sitting, standing, carrying of items weighting up to 20 pounds; i.e., files, medical records, and manuals. In general, the work does not require special physical demands. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.