Career Center

This Pharmacy Technician position is located in the Pharmacy Service at the Manchester, NH location. This position is full-time at 40 per week. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (5) GS-6 (a)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 (*): (b) Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; 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. (d) 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, Part II, Appendix G28. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-6 . Physical Requirements: Occasional standing and walking, lifting not to exceed 15 pounds, use of both hands and fingers, ability to use the computer. The work is primarily performed while sitting, although some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, attending meetings and conferences, etc. and occasional visits to activity work sites. Occasional use of an automobile or public conveyance may be required. ["Duties include but not limited to: a. Accurately prepares and labels inpatient and outpatient medications for final review by a pharmacist in a timely manner.\nb. Accurately receives new stock and returned stock into inventory according to established policies, procedures and regulations regarding inventory record keeping.\nc. Correctly operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including ScriptPro, Omnicell, and unit-dose packaging equipment according to manufacturers' recommendations and established Standard Operating Procedures.\nd. Troubleshoots problems with Pharmacy automation equipment including ScriptPro, Omnicell, and unit-dose packaging equipment and resolves issues independently or contacts the company for additional support when necessary.\ne. Accurately replenishes controlled and non-controlled substances in Omnicell units in a timely manner.\nf. Assists medical center staff and patients, either by phone or in person, concerning drug distribution, refill requests, mail and general triaging of requests for the pharmacists, and refers to a Pharmacist appropriately.\ng. Compounds hazardous and non-hazardous sterile, and non-sterile products with oversight of the Lead Technician for compounding by selecting, calculating and measuring the appropriate ingredients; mixing in a safe and effective manner utilizing aseptic technique when appropriate; inspects final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance; labels the product, and maintains records of the process.\nh. Assists with inventory management for non-controlled substances.\ni. Conducts monthly ward inspections according to established policies.\nj. Assures that ample supplies of drugs, appliances, labels, containers, supplies, and related necessities are readily available in the work area.\nk. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for intervention.\nl. Accurately fills unit-dose cassettes utilizing VISTA pick lists in a timely manner.\nm. Performs final review of medication prepared by another technician to be dispensed to inpatient areas.\nn. Accurately completes VISTA documentation including units dispensed and automatic replenishment.\no. Trains and orients new technicians and students regarding facility and department policies and procedures.\np. Assists department leadership in data collection for process monitoring and improvement activities. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm or rotating 9:30am-6pm no weekends presently, but always a possibility.\nCompressed/Flexible Work Schedule: Not Authorized\nTelework/Virtual/Remote: Not Authorized\nRelocation or Travel Incentives: Not Authorized\nRecruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]