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PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO ENSURE YOU SUBMIT ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. This Job Opportunity Announcement will be used to fill a Pharmacy Technician, GS-0661-06 position in Pharmacy Service at the VA Montana Health Care System. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific 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 500515, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: The position requires walking, standing, and sitting for long periods of time. The position also requires climbing stairs, lifting to 50 pounds, dexterity of the hand and wrist, and arm strength to perform dispensing of medication orders. ["This position functions in all the patient care areas of pharmacy service and can be assigned to either outpatient or inpatient services. The pharmacy technician represents the pharmacy in the medical center and is to follow all established hospital and pharmacy service policies and procedures to ensure high quality care of the Veteran. This position assists with pharmacy related duties as assigned by the supervisor or lead pharmacist. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Inventories and replenishes emergency carts for pharmacist review. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel 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. Responsible for the ward stock replenishment of oral, injectable and other medications into the Omnicell, and management of ward stock outdates. Responsible for manufacturing low and medium risk parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, etc. This involves interpretation of the physician's order, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients, mixing ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspecting the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labeling the product, maintaining records of the manufacturing process and supplying the product for delivery. Follows all procedures for maintaining annual competency, handwashing, glove box or IV room cleaning and certification, and use and disposal of appropriate PPE. Responsible for preparing and filling all inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances. Receives new stock and returned stock into inventory and ensures the accuracy of controlled drug records. Conducts regularly scheduled inventories and cooperates with controlled substance inspection officials. Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to supervisor. Provides controlled substance training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, students, etc. Prepackages tablets, capsules, liquids and ointments. Courteously receives prescriptions and refill requests from Veterans at the outpatient window and over the telephone. Answers telephone calls. Has the ability to answer routine inquiries from doctors, nurses and other professional staff. Directs more complex questions to the pharmacist on duty. Reviews eligibility of Veterans for window medication requests as required. Opens mail separating refills and new prescriptions for processing by the appropriate personnel Processes refill requests in the computer. Prefills prescriptions for dispensing by a pharmacist. Packs and wraps prescription and medical supplies for mailing to patients when volunteers are unavailable. Collects, processes, tabulates and maintains information for the Pharmacy Ward Stock. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: PD52911A\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]