Career Center

The In-patient Pharmacy Technician works in the inpatient section of Pharmacy Service, processing and filling inpatient medication orders (unit dose, IV admixture, ward stock, etc.) at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Incumbent will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which they are responsible. 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: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Certification. None at the GS-5 grade level (Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above.) Grade Determinations: GS-5-Successful completion of a 4 year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses relates to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month for month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrated the core competencies described at the GS-4 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: -Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. -Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. -Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. -Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. Employees at t his grade level serve as staff pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures and require minimal supervision. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28. Physical Requirements: The In-patient Pharmacy Technician may be required to sustain extended periods of stretching, standing, sitting and reaching during his/her employment. This occasionally involves lifting moderately heavy items. The Inpatient Pharmacy Technician must possess average agility and dexterity and must be able to work adjusted schedules and rotating shifts as assigned. ["Unit Dose\n1. Prepares individual unit dose medications to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit dose carts), and/or fills unit dose carts for patient care.\n2. The incumbent follows departmental policy & procedures when preparing & handling medications identified as hazardous per NIOSH regulations (i.e. Chemotherapy).\n3. A pharmacist reviews all orders for therapeutic propriety, the technician reviews all orders for technical accuracy and convenes the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered.\n4. Ensures all medication is labeled appropriately to include Veteran-specific information, bar code, drug, dose, expiration, and lot number and where necessary auxiliary labels as required.\n5. Maintains replenishment of pharmacy medication repackaging automation as required and follows established procedures.\n6. Performs final review of medication when prepared by another technician, to be dispensed to inpatient areas (first dose medication and unit dose carts) and fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review.\n7. Performs final technical review of pharmacy label application to manufacturer prepared intravenous solution prior to dispensing to inpatient areas. Sterile Product Compounding/Extraneous Compounding\n1. Responsible for preparation of complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe etc., and for the manufacturing of parenteral nutrition admixtures under a sterile environment. Responsible for preparation of sterile pharmaceuticals which are associated with a high degree of toxicity (i.e. antineoplastic agents).\n2. Interprets the medication order request, 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 only after a final check has been performed by a pharmacist.\n3. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared.\n4. Displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and actual work performance. Competency must be demonstrated with regard to both information about pharmaceuticals and chemicals, techniques used to handle and prepare these agents, appropriate handling and disposal of toxic materials, and technical information such as stability, incompatibilities, etc. 5. When compounding complex admixtures (parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy) manufacturing steps with ingredients are set up for clarification and approval by the pharmacist prior to completing each step in the manufacturing process.\n6. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile), following established compounding records. Ensures final check by pharmacist prior to product being released from the pharmacy. Ward Stock/Inventory Management\n1. Fills automatic replenishment requests for ward or clinic stock.\n2. Inventories and replenishes emergency code carts.\n3. Replenishes and maintains pharmaceutical drug items stored in automated dispensing cabinets (ADC) (i.e. Pyxis or equivalent). Ensures par levels are maintained and drugs due to expire ware pulled in advance of the expiration date.\n4. Performs ward inspections for all drug storage areas in the Medical Center. Accurately documents findings of inspection and notifies area manager and pharmacy supervisor of deficiencies. Ensures drugs due to expire are pulled from storage areas in advance of the expiration date.\n5. Assists with inventory management and ordering. Work Schedule: 3:30pm to 12:00am (evening shift) rotating weekends and holidays.\nCompressed/Flexible: Not available.\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #:21N36-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized."]