Summary This position functions for all pharmacy areas and performs a variety of specialized technical support functions within in the Pharmacy service. At this level you are nationally certified and work autonomously using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the health care organization of the Colmery-O'Neil VAMC - Topeka, Kansas. Responsibilities VAEKHCS is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf GENERAL DESCRIPTION This position functions as the Pharmacy Technician for all pharmacy areas and performs a variety of specialized technical support functions in the Pharmacy Service. Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and work autonomously using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in pharmacy. The high-level duties consist of significant scope, complexity, and range of variety to be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Pharmacy Technician for controlled substances: monitors pharmacists and technicians for compliance with controlled substance policies and procedures to assure accountability; trains pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and controlled substance inspectors on all pharmacy-controlled substance procedures as defined in relevant VHA Handbooks and local policy; investigates all reported discrepancies; performs balance adjustments; generates all required reports in cases of controlled substance loss. Pharmacy Technician for investigational drugs performs all inventory management, dispensing and record keeping activities for all investigational drugs on site, advises pharmacy leadership regarding issues and concerns, and recommends appropriate resolution for identified issues. Pharmacy Technician for compounding sterile products including chemotherapeutic agents: trains pharmacy staff on established procedures to assure compliance with USP Chapter 797 requirements; completes competency assessments for pharmacy staff; assures timely completion of all elements of the quality assurance plan for compounding sterile products. Pharmacy Technician for the ward inspection process: coordinates ward inspections assignments to assure all areas are covered; provides training and oversight for pharmacy technicians; monitors inspections for timely and accurate completion. Maintains the local VA All-Hazards Cache: receives new product; rotates stock; accordingly, checks expiration dates; performs weekly inspections; assures compliance with the Shelf-Life Extension Program (SLEP). Develops and maintains the process for tracking inventory of selected noncontrolled substances; selects appropriate drug products, completes inventory counts; documents data; tracks and trends results. Accurately prepares and labels inpatient and outpatient medications for final review by a pharmacist in a timely manner. Accurately prepares and labels-controlled substance prescriptions for final review by a pharmacist according to established policies, procedures, and regulations regarding security and record keeping. Completes controlled substance inventory functions. Accurately receives new stock and returned stock into inventory according to established policies, procedures and regulations regarding inventory record keeping. Correctly operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment according to established Standard Operating Procedures. Accurately replenishes controlled and non-controlled substances in ScriptPro, Script Center, and Medication Carousel units. Assists medical center staff and patients, either by phone or in person, concerning drug distribution, refill requests, mail, and general triaging of requests for the pharmacists, and refers to a pharmacy appropriately. Compounds hazardous and non-hazardous sterile, and non-sterile products by selecting, calculating, and measuring the appropriate ingredients; mixing in a safe and effective manner utilizing aseptic technique when appropriate; inspects final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance; labels the product, and maintains records of the process. Performs final review of medication prepared by another technician to be dispensed to inpatient areas. Accurately completes VISTA documentation including units dispensed and automatic replenishment. Trains, orient and mentors' new technicians and students regarding facility and department policies and procedures and controlled substances policies and procedures. Assists department leadership in data collection for process monitoring and improvement activities. Performs all duties of lower graded technicians, if required. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday day tour, Off tours as needed by the department. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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: None required English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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 Determination for GS-07: Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT or NHA as a ExCPT. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (451bs and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (8 hours per day); kneeling (2 hours per day); repeated bending (4 hours per day); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.