A pharmacy technician in this assignment provides a broad range of technical support function in Pharmacy Service for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. 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. 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 GS-05, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level GS-05. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Preferred Experience: Sterile Compounding/IV room experience TPN and Abacus experience USP 797 Knowledge and guidelines experience Mini-bag plus or Add ease experience Pyxis experience Omnicell Carousel or Med Carousel experience References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, Appendix G28, Dated 3/17/2006. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Walking (<2 hours); Standing (8 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Emotional/mental stability; Typing & computer use. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to: Utilizes knowledge of the computer system, printer operation, and organizational skills to facilitate the dispensing process. Accurately fills medication orders by selecting, packaging, and labeling the correct and proper drug and dosage. Documents all quality assurance information on the dispensing record. Provides medications, IV preparations, missing doses for \"stat\" or \"now\" conditions. Utilizes knowledge of automated devices, quality assurance requirements and team approach to fill medication orders in accordance with the facility's customer service standards. Accurately fills patient unit dose carts independently or as a team utilizing order copies and or pick lists. Reviews and coordinates orders and pick lists to provide proper dosage, making corrections as required. Inputs, updates, and edits pick lists to ensure accurate dispensing records. Utilizes knowledge of computer system, printer operation and pre-packing or automated dispensing machinery. Independently fills and maintains levels in the automated dispensing machines (Ex. Pyxis, XR2 Robot , etc.) Maintains inventory balance with potentially out-of-date drugs Maintains ward stock and pyxis inventories. Maintains unit dose cart inventories. Conducts and documents monthly ward inspections and monitors for expiration dates of all stock. Determines and coordinates pre-packaging needs for inpatient dispensing. Packages, or coordinates volunteer staff (where available) to package and properly label all pre-packaged units. Utilizes automated devices. Verifies work of volunteers and other technicians. Responsible for manufacturing all products, including sterile preparations and parenteral admixtures requiring compounding either in small batches for single medication orders or in bulk preparations to be dispensed as more than one medication order. This responsibility includes interpretation of the physician's order, calculating, selecting, measuring and verifying the ingredients, combining the ingredients using the most efficacious procedure, inspecting the final product for accuracy, uniformity, visual signs of contamination, and appearance, labeling the finished product, determining the expiration date, documenting the manufacturing process, and packaging the product for delivery. The incumbent is knowledgeable of, adheres to and applies established policies and procedures during the performance of duties. This includes knowledge and support of the facility's EEO programs and OWCP procedures concerning work related injuries and or illnesses. In the performance of official duties, the incumbent has regular access to sensitive data which is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. The employee is responsible for protecting the data from unauthorized release, loss, alteration or deletion. Incumbent is responsible for supervising the organization of workflow and finished products prepared by pharmacy aids or trainees. The incumbent is also responsible for being cognizant of workload situations which may require his/her direct intervention to maintain Customer Service Standards and is a willing participant of the Pharmacy Team to assist colleagues in handling these workload situations when necessary. Incumbent provides administrative consultations to patients and other CTVHCS employees concerning pharmacy policies, and regulations to resolve problems and or concerns in a caring, professional manner. Incumbent practices a multidisciplinary team approach to solving problems and assumes the responsibility for solving problems to his/her best ability during the tour of duty. Incumbent recognizes that communication is vital for the effective and efficient operation of the pharmacy and is responsible for communicating problems and concerns incurred on tour of duty daily through use of electronic mail to help solve problems within processes for continuous quality improvement. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts to include weekends and holidays. Eligible for compressed tours. Compressed/Flexible: Eligible Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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.
