The Cincinnati, OH VA Medical Center is recruiting for several Pharmacy Technician vacancies. The Outpatient Pharmacy Technician is responsible for supporting the pharmaceutical care needs of patients. The Outpatient Pharmacy Technician is located at the main facility (3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH) however, incumbent may occasionally be assigned at the CBOCs or the Fort Thomas Division if help is needed at those locations. 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 grade GS-6 and above. English Language. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English accordance with VA Handbook 5005, chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Grade Requirements for the Pharmacy Technician GS-6 Experience. You must have one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Example experience would typically include; employees at this grade level serve as staff pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experience staff members for more complex patients and procedures, and require minimal supervision. Experience operating and caring for automated dispensing devices and equipment; Knowledge of, and ability to perform aseptic technique; Knowledge of, and experience performing basic inventory procedures; Knowledge of and experience using pharmacy information systems. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the one year of experience at the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation you must demonstrate the below KSAs: Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic techniques for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Please make sure that each of the above KSAs is addressed in your resume. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Job Qualification Standard GS-661. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate lifting, bending, stooping, sitting, pushing, and pulling. Position requires standing and/or walking for much of the shift. ["The outpatient pharmacy technician is responsible for a variety of technical functions which require knowledge of pharmaceuticals, supplies, pharmacy practice, computer systems, and automation involved in preparing and dispensing pharmaceuticals in the outpatient setting. Assignments involve the management of medications and other pharmacy products, including stocking, filling, compounding, reviewing, and preparing products for shipment. The incumbent in this position triages or addresses whenever possible inquiries from internal and external customers; reports to the outpatient pharmacy technician supervisor and receives guidance and direction from the outpatient pharmacy technician supervisor, and assistant chief, outpatient pharmacy. plans and completes tasks based on established protocols, standard operating procedures, and accepted pharmaceutical practices is expected to be accurate and precise when completing their job duties to provide exceptional patient care and prevent poor outcomes. perform routine pharmacy functions including receiving prescriptions from patients in writing or electronically from physicians prepare prescriptions by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing the medication if necessary. maintains patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, stock, and take inventory of medications. prepares medications for inpatients in various settings, including sterile product preparation. Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Pharmacy Operations: Completes and organizes the workload as accurately, timely, and efficiently as possible. Selects, compounds, dispenses and fills a range of drugs including extemporaneous preparations, special formulations, ophthalmic preparations (subconjunctival and intravitreal injections), controlled substances, investigational drugs, oncolytic agents, etc. Adequate quality assurance procedures shall be followed as applicable. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment by following all policies and procedures for utilization, safety, and maintenance of equipment. Tasks associated with the filling and distribution of prescriptions will be performed in accordance with The Joint Commission accreditation standards, ASHP pharmacy practice standards and VHA requirements. Compounds and/or reconstitutes non-sterile oral and/or external medications. Quality and Patient Safety: Fills all orders in a timely fashion with minimal errors. Follows established standard operating procedures (SOP) and uses correct technique in compounding non-sterile products. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment when required. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA ADERS, JPSR, and any other pertinent reporting programs. Clinical Activities: Assists pharmacists with the implementation of P&T Committee policies including therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions to include appropriate patient and provider education materials. Administration/Project Management: Attends, participates, and contributes as an active member of various Medical Center Committees as determined by Pharmacy Service supervisory personnel. Participates and contributes towards meeting facility cost savings initiatives. Actively seeks to identify opportunities for improvement within the pharmacy operations and develops solutions to resolve issues. Acts as a process champion on a voluntary basis. Stock Control and Environmental Safety/Security: Assists in the management of recalls and medication shortage situations though communication with patients and coordination of patient notification activities. Responsible for maintaining the security of the pharmacy and pharmacy inventory per policy and regulation. The incumbent is responsible for notifying pharmacy management immediately upon discovering any evidence of, or potential for, compromise of the security of any area involving controlled substances in the Medical Center. Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects data from unauthorized release, or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Ensures applicable laws, Federal regulations, and VA National and Local policy and procedure regarding medication storage are followed. Conducts assigned ward inspections monthly. Educational Activities: Assumes an active role in staff development of self and peers. Maintains his/her professional competency and certification where applicable. Work Schedule: M-F alternating weeks 7a-3:30p and 9:30a-6:30p; rotating weekends and holidays 8a-4:30p. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91142-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized"]
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.
