Career Center

Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services related to inpatients and/or ambulatory patients. Position will carry out the full range of technical support functions which include but are not limited to: processing and filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over the counter products and supply items. 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: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. GS-6: Grade Determinations (a) Experience: One year experience at the next lower level of GS-5, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. (b) Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: At this level, candidates must also demonstrate the following KSAs. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G28 Physical Requirements: Employees are typically expected to work forty hours per week. This may include nights, weekends and/or holidays as assigned. Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing IV admixtures, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose-cassettes, and IV solutions; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job. ["Unit Dose Medication Management: a. Fills patient unit dose carts independently utilizing order copies or pick lists. Reviews and coordinates orders and pick lists to provide proper dosage making corrections as required. Inputs, updates and edits pick list to provide accurate and timely dispensing record.\nb. Maintains unit dose cart inventories. Conducts monthly ward and unit dose cart inspections. Provides proper labeling of stock in wards and clinics. Routinely monitors expiration dates of all stock and reports shortages and out-of stock conditions as they are discovered.\nc. Determines prepackaging needs for unit dose medications and ward stock products for use in clinics. Properly packages, labels, documents and verifies accuracy of finished product. Assures deliveries to inpatient areas and clinics are made timely.\nd. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including robotic dispensing, automated counting, and bar code re-labeling equipment. Performs activities such restocking automated dispensing cabinets to include controlled substances.\ne. Maintains inventory for the unit dose packaging system. Documents all medications used in the unit dose packaging system and verifies work of other technicians/students.\nf. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used.\ng. After orders are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, the technician reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered.\nh. Monitors inventory needs, relays this information to appropriate pharmacy personnel. This also includes completing monthly storage inspections as assigned, placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items.\ni. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy staff regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class, and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.\nj. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Sterile Manufacturing/Bulk Compounding: a. The incumbent is responsible for manufacturing complicated parenteral admixtures intended for delivery by large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or piggy back.\nb. Responsible for manufacturing all products requiring compounding either in small batches for single prescriptions or in bulk preparations to be dispensed as more than one prescription.\nc. The incumbent is responsible for manufacturing sterile pharmaceuticals which are associated with a high degree of toxicity (e.g., antineoplastic agents).\nd. Observes and consistently displays competence with good sterile technique in the manufacturing process through demonstration and/or actual work performance.\ne. Assures timely delivery of product to inpatient/clinic areas. Outpatient/Mail-Out Pharmacy : a. Filling a full range of standard drug and prosthetic items using prepackaged drugs, consumer packs, and manufactured bulk products.\nb. Assists in conducting controlled substance inventories and interacts with controlled substances inspecting officials.\nc. Receives prescription requests from patients and issues medication to patients and responsible third parties.\nd. Checks completeness of new prescriptions and/or medication refill request and takes corrective action, if necessary.\ne. Packages medications and supplies for mailing, observing special considerations required for controlled substances and cytotoxic products without a secondary review.\nf. Provides patient education on pharmacy topics such as requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgemental questions to the pharmacist.\ng. Operates and maintains complicated outpatient pharmacy equipment to include Scriptpro robots, counting machines, etc.\nh. Completes monthly ward inspections as assigned. Routinely monitors expiration dates of all stock and reports shortages and out-of stock conditions as they are discovered. Work Schedule: Various work schedules\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]