Serves as Pharmacy Technician in the Pharmacy Service providing Inpatient support under the guidance of a registered pharmacist and under the direct supervision of the Supervisor Pharmacy Technician as follows: Inpatient: This position functions primarily inpatient medical, surgical and intensive patient care areas of Pharmacy Service. 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. 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-2/3/4/5 GS-2 Experience: None beyond the basic requirement. GS-3 Education or Experience. Completion of 1 year of post-high school coursework related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) AND in addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to maintain appropriate files. Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision. Ability to communicate with patients and other health professions. GS-4 Education or Experience. Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience AND in addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision. Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment. Ability to operate pharmacy information systems. Ability to maintain appropriate files Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision GS-5 Education or Experience: 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 related 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 demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level AND in addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, April 15, 2002, Part II Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-2 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: Routinely involved in walking, bending, stooping, lifting and handling items not to exceed 50 lbs. Includes prolonged periods of standing and irregular work shifts. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Major Duties Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the prosper strength dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; and affixes proper label. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy dispensing equipment. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral medications. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. 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. Work Schedule: Rotating Schedule Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
