This position is located in the Inpatient Pharmacy section of the Pharmacy Service at the West Haven Campus. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/27/2022. Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. c. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-06 and above. d. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Requirements: (1) Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. (2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Grade Determination: GS-06 Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, you must demonstrate at least one (1) year of experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level: ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment; knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique; knowledge of basic inventory procedures; and knowledge of pharmacy information systems. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs identified below for the assignment within their resume. Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. You will be rated on the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer to appropriate actions. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. 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. 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. Must pass pre-employment examination. Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Requires standing for long periods. Requires frequent movement within work areas, regular and recurring bending, stopping, sitting, and stretching. Requires manual dexterity and acute hearing. Must be able to distinguish colors. ["Pharmacy technicians perform routine pharmacy functions under the supervision of a pharmacist. All pharmacy distributive functions are performed according to VHA, VA Connecticut, and Pharmacy Service policies and procedures to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services in a timely fashion to meet the needs of our patients and medical center staff. GS-06 Pharmacy Technician - Inpatient duties include but or not limited to: Preparing medications by reviewing orders, pick lists, restock lists for dispensing in medication carts, automated dispensing cabinets or for delivery. Performing final review of unit dose medications (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit dose carts). Restocks automated dispensing cabinets according to policy by scanning medications upon refill as an added safety feature. Emptying return bins per established schedule. Assisting customers at the pharmacy window and answers the telephone. Responding to inquiries to best of technical expertise and refers any complex questions to a pharmacist. Operating, maintaining and cleaning complicated pharmacy equipment. Additionally, logs any equipment dysfunction or failure and alerts supervisor and/or pharmacist in charge. Using pharmacy technology to prepack medications for unit dose dispensing. Prioritizing daily tasks based on importance, urgency (e.g. stroke protocol), and pharmacist requests in a timely manner to assure quality patient care. Reviewing requests for missing doses for appropriateness and reports unusual trends or issues to the supervisor or pharmacist in charge. Handling and dispensing investigational drugs as needed per facility policy and procedure. Preparing outpatient prescriptions from a variety of sources (e.g., clinic, ER, discharge) for dispensing. Final check is done by the pharmacist. Assures that the correct medication or supply, quantity, auxiliary labels and any pertinent patient instructions/information are included. Compounding sterile and nonsterile products by interpreting the provider's order; selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients; mixing ingredients in a safe and effective manner; inspecting the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance; labeling the product; maintaining records of the compounding process; and supplying the product for delivery. Compounding low and medium risk compounded sterile products (CSP), including chemotherapeutic agents, according to current pharmaceutical practice standards (ie. USP Chapter 797) to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, etc. Using either standard protocols or established guidelines to determine an accurate expiration date and/or beyond use date for each batch compounded. Consistently displaying competence with good compounding practices and sterile technique through competency assessments as detailed by current pharmaceutical practice standards, demonstration and, actual work performance. This includes following protocols for personal protective equipment and hand hygiene. Preparing and dispensing all medication orders and requests for controlled substances using VISTA and follows VA policies and DEA rules and regulations. Receiving new stock and returned stock into inventory by ensuring the accuracy of controlled drug records. c. Conducting regularly scheduled inventories per policy and interacts with controlled substance inspection officials. Work Schedule: Primarily 7:00AM-3:30PM, 7:30AM-4PM, 8:00AM-4:30PM, includes rotating weekends, nights, and holidays\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required This announcement is currently open to Current, Permanent Other Federal Agency Employees and US Citizens. If you are a Current, Permanent VACT Employee or a Current, Permanent VA Nationwide Employee please apply to Job Announcement CBTD-11498051-22-MN"]