A Pharmacy Technician serves Sheridan VA Healthcare System by assigned clinical duties and rotating through assignments in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, functioning independently within each area. 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 grades GS-6 and above. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-6 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: This position provides services to patients and their families. Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain, corrective lenses permitted), keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, manual dexterity. This position may require reaching above shoulder-level height and requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). This position requires long periods of sitting, standing and walking. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs ["Duties include but are not limited to: Outpatient Pharmacy Functions\n1. Outpatient Prescription Preparation: Reads prescription and then retrieves repackaged, labeled container or bulk stock container and measures proper amounts into a smaller container. Pharmacists perform a final check of the work. Reads individual prescriptions and determines kind, strength, and dosage of drug to be dispensed. Applies pharmacy policy limitations. Obtains correct stock container, counts or pours correct amount of medication, and placing medication in an appropriately sized container. Contents and labels are set aside for a final check and for dispensing by the pharmacist.\n2. Correctly packages medications for shipment to patients or to Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Effectively uses knowledge of special packing techniques for various medications; e.g., liquids, flammables, hazardous, and narcotics. Ensures adherence to facility, service, and postal regulations governing shipment. Adheres to federal and VA policy (USP 800) for the management and regular use of all hazardous medications, to include appropriate labeling, storage and destruction.\n3. Utilizes pharmacy information systems to answer patient questions related to status of their medication, completion date, package tracking, etc. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including ScriptPro outpatient pharmacy automation.\n4. Ensures that information such as generic name of drug, manufacturer's name, lot number, control number, shipment number, etc., are properly recorded on log books and on labels.\n5. Uses appropriate Opioid pain note templates and documents accurate data in computer entry system for use by medical providers to reorder high risk medications. Renews or flags maintenance medications under medical providers per local policy. Inpatient Pharmacy Functions 1. Replenish and update stock in automated dispensing cabinets. Accurately packages unit dose medications utilizing unit dose packaging machine for all inpatient units. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated medications on inpatient wards and through inpatient pharmacy storage cabinets.\n2. Compounds sterile products in accordance with federal and VA policy (USP 797). Performs all quality control measures, to include using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and performing and documenting cleaning procedures.\n3. Conducts monthly ward inspection of patient care areas. Monitors refrigerator temperature and maintains destruction receptacles (Cactus-Sink) on in-patient care areas. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts.\n4. Ensures that information such as generic name of drug, manufacturer's name, lot number, control number, shipment number, etc., are properly recorded on log books and on labels.\n5. Reads and interprets orders, 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. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication to unit staff according to pharmacy policies and procedures. Performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit-dose carts), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review.\n6. 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.\n7. Receives supplies, checking for shortages, tampering, breakage, deterioration, or expiration. Selects proper storage area. Notifies procurement technician or Chief, Pharmacy Service of any perceived shortages, increase in demand, or other factors affecting pharmacy operations. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated medications on inpatient wards and through inpatient pharmacy storage cabinets. Understands more advanced inventory principles and works closely with procurement tech and Chief, Pharmacy Service in effectively managing inventory levels.\n8. Operates and maintains complicated unit dose packaging machines, and inpatient pharmacy automation equipment. Utilizes all pharmacy equipment according to manufacturer, facility, and service policies and procedures. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Tour of duty will be 8 (eight) hour shifts between the hours of 7:00am and 4:30pm with occasional weekends\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 529870\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]