This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. *** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 1, 2023. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be January 20, 2022. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. *** 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). Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level (GS-5). Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs within their resume/application materials and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 technique 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. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving, standing and pushing carts about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern for staff and patients. Must possesses math skills in order to convert medications to the correct dosing. ["General Duties: Assists in other patient care areas (including outpatient pharmacy services) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. However, primary assignments of work schedule and tours would involve inpatient pharmacy services. Inpatient services may include such areas as aseptic admixture preparation including cytotoxic agents, automatic and on-demand ward stock replenishment, maintenance and operation of automated prepackaging storage and dispensing equipment, assembly and documentation of controlled substance requests, and properly packaging with documentation of single unit of use medications. Ensures all inventory automation equipment in the pharmacy service is properly refilled and utilized to maintain inventory controls. Participates in ensuring the Operating Room satellite is properly stocked for injectable, non-injectable and controlled substance medications. Medication Management System: Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form, determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. Dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. For unit-dose medications, performs final review of medication when prepared by another technician, to be dispensed to inpatient areas (med-carts, ward stock), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review when necessary. Prepares inpatient drug orders including all medicinal dosage forms such as chemotherapy, intravenous admixtures, oral solids, etc., according to established procedures and protocols. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes as required. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). Reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Enters correct drug, strength, dosage form, and quantity into the patient's medication profile (DHCP or otherwise). Answers questions from 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. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action team and continually seeks to improve services. Conducts periodic ward inspection of patient care areas. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdates in patient care area automated machines. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas, relays this information to the appropriate Pharmacy personal. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Maintains a training/education manual for the focus area assigned. Provides training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained. Monitors refrigerator temperature on a daily basis in pharmacy. Assists with inventory management and ordering of medicines. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, if required. Controlled Substances: Prepares and fills all inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances. Receives new stock and returned stock into inventory by ensuring the accuracy of controlled drug records. Conducts regularly scheduled inventories and interacts with controlled substance inspection officials. Executes authority to initiate and complete all orders for controlled drugs, including local requirements, VACO directives, DEA requirements (including completing DEA forms), and other state and local requirements that apply. Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to supervisor. Provides controlled substance training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, students, etc. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, 24/7, Nights, Weekends, and Holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:54044-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Liz.Licea@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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