Summary The compound sterile product( CPS) oncology Pharmacy Technician is a highly specialized technician who performs various complex functions in preparing chemotherapeutic agents in the oncology IV sterile compounding suite of pharmacy at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Responsibilities Duties: Performs an essential role in preparing, compounding, dispensing, and distributing sterile and non-sterile hazardous medication within designated sterile compounding areas. Receives, reviews, and prepares physician orders for cytotoxic agents and pre-medication. Performs accurate product identification, Including dosage calculation and compounding of agents, using package literature written procedures guidelines and application of specialized knowledge. Successfully complete assignments and maintain annual competencies to compound hazardous and non-hazardous IV sterile preparations according to USP <795> <797> and <800> standards. Follows proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding hazardous and non-hazardous medications. Review anticipated inventory needs and promptly notify procurement technicians of required products. Assists in maintaining all required records related to sterile compounding. Receives hazardous IV chemotherapy inventory stock according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines by placing it in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Maintains the chemotherapy/IV room medication inventory, compounding supplies, and cleaning products to ensure availability and minimize waste. Conducts daily, weekly, and monthly IV room cleaning, including checks for soon-to-expire medications. Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, or other as required. Prepares sterile ophthalmic preparations and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals such as total parenteral alimentations and cardioplegia solutions. Assists in the central IV sterile suite as needed. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of USP <795><797><800> chapters and hazardous drug handling to assist in the management, compliance, staff education, activities, training, and room certifications. Participates in glove fingertip and media fill testing and maintains competencies by passing didactic practical skill assessment initially and annually after that. Assists in airborne particulate, microbial, and surface testing to ensure cleaning schedules are met. Ensures full compliance with all regulatory requirements VHA, Joint Commission, USP <795><797><800>, EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, and FDA). Assists in maintaining a training education manual for the focus area assigned. Provide training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained. Ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate work independently in the assigned area. Performs all the duties of lower-grade technicians, if required. OTHER DUTIES: After a pharmacist reviews the prescription/order(s) for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Assists with inventory management and medication ordering. Answers questions from the 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. Conducts periodic ward inspections of patient care areas. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in the medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Monitors refrigerator temperature daily in pharmacy assigned area. Work Schedule: Various Shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS# 688-24095-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 a 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. English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3J: No person will be appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education or Experience: None required. For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Certification: For positions above the full performance level (GS-06), 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 Health Career 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 Determinations: Pharmacy Technician - Oncology Sterile Compound Intravenous IV GS-08 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7): 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, 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. AND demonstrate the GS-8 KSAs below. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (GS-8): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology, and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area in the Definitions Section. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Certification: For positions above the full performance level (GS-06), 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. Assignment: Pharmacy technicians in this assignment specialize in areas such as sterile compounding, oncology, controlled substances, medication history review, clinical specialist (anticoagulation, pain, infectious diseases), clinical informatics, automation, immunizations, and any other specialized area in the advancement of the profession. The pharmacy technician will serve as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day technician duties of the specialized area. The technician will perform assignments such as compounding sterile products, filling controlled substance prescriptions while maintaining compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations, taking medication histories and counseling patients, managing automation, managing workflow, and training and orienting staff in the specialized area. References: VA Handbook 5005/159 Part II Appendix G28 dated 11/7/2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08, and the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for it is also GS-08. This means that the successful candidate will need to meet the minimum qualifications and experience requirements for a GS-08 level position. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear, distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening, as a condition of employment. Lifting/carrying up to 44 lbs.; standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, bending/stooping, twisting, pushing/pulling; both legs required; Simple grasping; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Fine manipulation (includes keyboarding); Reaching above shoulders; Near vision correctable at 1316" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correction in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades colors; Hearing whispered voice (with or without aid); Emotional/mental stability; Walking on slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working with hands in water; Working closely with others; and Protracted or irregular hours of work. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.