Summary
This Danville Pharmacy technician is PTCB or ExCPT certified and performs a full range of duties related to; inventory, inspections, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, dispensing, distribution, and other functions of pharmaceutical practices under the supervision of a pharmacist. The Pharmacy Technician mentors and trains lower grade technicians and assists ... pharmacists in providing optimal care and timely service in support of the mission, vision, and goals of the VA.
This job is open to
• The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
Open to U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Videos
Duties
• Accurately interprets, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines.
• Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received.
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff, following all safety and QA procedures.
• Performs monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and requirements.
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile); calculating and converting to proper weights and measuring the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification.
• Manufactures products requiring compounding, whether made in large batches for more than one patient or in small batches.
• Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and obtains a final check by a pharmacist.
• Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared.
• Proficiently operates equipment, including but not limited to balances and mixing machines in the routing of manufacturing pharmaceutical products.
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians, interns, and students.
• Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed.
• Assists higher level technicians as needed.
• Maintains national certification with PTCB or ExCPT.
Work Schedule: Rotation; including evening, weekends, and holidays
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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 evaluation.
• 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.
• You must have a valid driver's license. A copy of your driver's license must be submitted with your application.
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:
• Certification: must 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).
A copy of your certification must be submitted with your application.
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 GS-7
Experience.
Must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in the Federal service; filling orders, dispensing/delivering medications using automated systems or providing technical customer service related to prescription needs; delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable), and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7.
Physical Requirements: Work is performed primarily in the inpatient pharmacy and outpatient care areas, where there is a potential for exposure to communicable diseases. Such areas are adequately heated and ventilated, and safety precautions are required. In some cases, dealing with anti-neoplastic drugs may expose the incumbent to hazardous and toxic agents. The incumbent works with drugs/chemicals and must exercise precautions to avoid accidental contact to the skin, eyes, and lungs.
Education
There is no education requirement for this position.
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
This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until April 24,2024.The initial cut-off date for applications is 2/07/2024. All eligible applications received by 2/07/2024 will be reviewed and - if qualified - referred.Subsequent cut-off dates will be on the 15th of each month through April 24, 2024.Eligible applications received after 2/07/2024 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
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.
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.
• Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
• Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
• National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification as a CPhT or National Healthcareer Association (NHA), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• Valid Driver's License
• Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• License
• National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification as a CPhT or National Healthcareer Association (NHA), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• Valid Driver's License
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Ac
