The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To ensure compounded sterile preparations for antineoplastic and hazardous drugs have been appropriately prepared using aseptic technique, and verified in accordance with applicable regulatory standards, VHA Regulations, Medical Center Policies, and standard operating procedures. The incumbent will be responsible for quality assurance monitoring, inventory management, record keeping, and customer service in support of sterile compounding activities. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (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. 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:GS-07 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, to include the following: 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 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 Preferred Experience: 2 years of inpatient pharmacy experience within the last 5 years 1 year of VA hospital experience within the last 5 years IV certification Leadership experience Pharmacy automation experience: Omnicell or Pxyis References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, dated March 17, 2006 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15 - 44 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15 - 44 lbs); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (up to 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 12 hours); Standing (up to 12 hours); Repeated bending (up to 4 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). ["The Pharmacy Technician (Chemotherapy) works within the Sterile Compounding Program section of Pharmacy Service within the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS). The incumbent will work with medical center staff to ensure hazardous compounded sterile preparations have been appropriately mixed, reviewed and approved in accordance with applicable regulatory standards, VHA regulations, and facility standard operating policy and procedures. Goals of the program will be dictated by local, VISN, or National VA goals and directives. The progress of programs initiated and performed will be reported to the Health System Administration through the appropriate pharmacy management chain of command. Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for quality assurance monitoring, inventory management duties to support sterile compounding, sterile compounding record keeping actions, and customer service. Judgment and skill are essential to complete technical functions. The incumbent must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, reliability, productivity, and professional integrity. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30AM to 4:30PM (8-hour work schedule). Weekend and Holiday coverage may be needed. General Work Tours may be extended and/or adjusted to meet patient care needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
