The position is located within the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) in the USP/Hazardous Drug Compliance Pharmacy Section in Dallas, TX. The purpose of the position is to ensure compounded sterile preparations have been appropriately prepared and verified in accordance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures; as well as quality assurance monitoring, inventory management, record keeping, and customer service in support of sterile compounding activities. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (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. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience: One year experience at the next lower level (GS-05) and must fully meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the next lower level. Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to: 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. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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. 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. Preferred Experience: 2 years of inpatient pharmacy experience Hospital experience with exposure to sterile compounding IV certified References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, dated March 17, 2006 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15 - 44 pounds); moderate carrying (15 - 44 pounds); straight pulling (1 hour); pushing (2 hours); reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (12 hours); standing (12 hours); repeated bending (4 hours); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; 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; ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted). ["This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until 9/13/2023. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. The first cut-off date is May 10, 2023. Applications will expire after 90 days, and applicants must update their application through USAJobs for further consideration. Duties include but are not limited to: Sterile Compounding: Compounds non-hazardous admixtures and receive final verification and approval from a pharmacist prior to delivering to clinic or ward for administration. Assists with compounding hazardous admixtures when necessary. Prioritizes drug orders according to established pharmacy procedures and inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and pharmaceutical elegance prior to final verification. Completes accurate calculation and conversion of various medication dosages and strengths and documents these calculations based on pharmacy procedures. Segregates sterile compounded product waste in the appropriate waste disposal bin based on facility policy. Maintains all control records for cleanroom engineering controls and pharmacy automated devices and equipment. Ensures work area is adequately stocked and restocked with appropriate supplies and products. Uses standard protocols to determine appropriate expiration dating, beyond use dating, and labeling for each prepared product. Adheres to all safety and cleanroom conduct practices related to personal protective equipment, personal hygiene, and clothing. Pharmaceutical Care: Completes monthly ward inspections and monthly expiration pulls by the assigned date. Organizes daily workload with accuracy and efficiency. Participate in efforts to improve the quality, safety, accessibility, and efficiency of patient care. Reports medication errors and near misses to first line supervisor with efforts to rectify the situation as applicable. Fills and delivers Omnicell IV restock items, cart-fill, pre-exchanges, and missing doses accurately per Supervisor direction and instruction. Operates all automated pharmacy equipment including but not limited to Omnicells, ScriptPro, Robot RX, and the prepack machine. Prepares and document crash cart tray and emergency kit (RSI, CAT, etc.) replenishments. Dispenses medications and supplies to nursing staff and patients at the afterhours pharmacy window. Handles all IV returns accurately and complete by end of tour. Prepares and log compounded oral solutions according to pharmacy policy. Inspects IV drug inventory routinely and communicates to lead and program manager to determine appropriate levels for preparing product based on current patient demand, product expiration, and staffing levels. Supports the Inpatient Pharmacy Program as needed. Work Schedule: Rotating Shift, Nights/Weekends/Holidays 7:00 am - 3:30 pm (Monday-Friday), 3:30 pm - 12:00 am (Monday - Friday), and 4:00 pm - 4:30 am (7 on/7 off; alternating 12-hour/10-hour days as determined by supervisor); tour may be adjusted to meet patient care. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
