Career Center

The Loma Linda VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for an Pharmacy Technician within the Pharmacy Service and performs the full range of pharmacy technician functions in support of Pharmacy Service operations. These functions include proficiency in the use of all pharmacy automation, the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Microsoft Outlook, pneumatic tube system, barcoding procedures, inspection processes, and sterile compounding procedures. 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. 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations, which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations, which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists." Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard 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 required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: 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. 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. Principle Duties and Responsibilities. Responsible for the completion of the environmental aspect/impact analysis in collaboration with the GEMS Coordinator, effective implementation of the operational strategies developed through the GEMS program to ensure regulatory compliance, and improving environmental performance within his/her service. Also, shall consider environmentally preferable and recycled products in all purchasing decisions. 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 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 and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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 wards and clinics. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example, assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing/sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs., and bending/stooping. The work may entail repetitive wrist movement while using various size syringes, vial cap removal, and typing. ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until November 03, 2022. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 17, 2022, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: The Pharmacy Technician uses advanced knowledge of technician practice to proactively improve patient care. Conducts monthly inspections as assigned and communicating any concerns with immediate supervisor. Completes inspection paperwork in a timely fashion. Operates and maintains pharmacy automation. Troubleshoots pharmacy automation including initiating and coordinating completion of work orders with vendors when necessary. Documents packaging records in preparation for pharmacist verification. Verifies all unit dose medications scan properly for use in pharmacy automation. Fills pre-exchange medications in preparation for pharmacist verification. Troubleshoots missing medication requests. Operates the pneumatic tube system. Delivers medications to patient care areas as assigned. Tests eyewash stations and completes necessary documentation. Operates automation to complete daily cart fill. Delivers daily cart fill. Prepares all medication and documentation for code carts and all pharmacy kits including heart boxes, anesthesia trays, and rapid sequence intubation kits in preparation for pharmacist verification. Receives incoming pharmacy purchases, reconciles received quantities against invoice quantities and reports any discrepancies to management. Adds newly acquired stock to automation and existing stock ensuring stock rotation. Work Schedule: Variable Shifts\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient and Outpatient)/000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]