Career Center

The incumbent functions as a General Pharmacy Technician primarily in the inpatient and outpatient work areas of the Pharmacy Service within the VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VHACIHS). This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. All requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-6, Pharmacy Technician Experience: One year experience equivalent to the next lower level, GS-5, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level: 1. Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. 2. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. 3. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. 4. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. AND Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Preferred Experience: 1-year or more experience working as a Pharmacy Technician in either a hospital or retail pharmacy practice setting. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Light lifting/carrying, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, repeated bending, and climbing Grandfathering Provision: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such 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 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. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. ["Duties include, but are not limited to: Pharmacy Technicians at this grade level are assigned to work in the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy dispensing work areas, performing duties related to: Preparing unit-dose and bulk medication for delivery and distribution to patient care areas located throughout the main campus and CBOC locations. Preparing outpatient medication and supply prescriptions for dispensing through the outpatient Pharmacy window and mail delivery systems, including preparing packages to be mailed (regular, overnight, signature required, delivery confirmation, etc.) and receipt of returned mailed packages. Operation of Pharmacy service automation including unit-dose packaging, automated medication dispensing, outpatient medication dispensing, non-sterile and non-hazardous sterile compounding. Operation of the Pharmacy service phone system, including operation of phones in the local Pharmacy Phone Triage Center. Customer service, problem solving, and phone communication skills are necessary. Preparation of non-sterile compounding in accordance with USP. Handling of hazardous medication in accordance with USP . Demonstration of inventory management procedures and practice through the performance of medication and supply re-ordering, ward audits, cycle counts, expirations, and medication/supply recall notifications. Pharmacy Technicians may be assigned duties as a ward audit coordinator who coordinates and reports the completion of all Pharmacy medication/supply storage locations. Compliance with laws, rules, and all regulations governing controlled substance medication accountability, security, distribution, dispensing, and inventory. Pharmacy Technicians may be scheduled to work in the controlled substance medication vault. Operation of computer applications related to Pharmacy Service functions, including documentation in the patient's electronic health record when required. Compliance with pharmaceutical waste regulations. Participates in Pharmacy Service quality assurance/quality improvement initiatives, documentation, tracking, and reporting. May be assigned special projects and other duties by their supervisor or other member of the Pharmacy leadership team related to the Pharmacy Service and the provision of safe and effective pharmaceutical care. Training/Education duties: Assists with the orientation and training of new and existing Pharmacy Service staff as assigned by their supervisor or other member of the Pharmacy leadership team. Participates in meetings, conferences, and programs that provide exposure and insight into the specialized practice area within the Pharmacy Service. Obtains required continuing education and maintains clinical job knowledge and skills. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday 0700-1530, 0730-1600, 0800-1630, 0830-1700, 0930-1800, and rotating weekends and holidays\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"]