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This is an open continuous announcement until July 24, 2023. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Most duties will be performed at the Tampa VAMC, although some work at other facilities may be required. The incumbent must possess one year of experience at the GS-5 level and demonstrate the associated functional knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) expected at the GS-6 level. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/ registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists." Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: 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 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. Part-time Experience: Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Grade Requirement: addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-06: (a) Experience: One year experience at or equivalent to the next lower level, (GS-05) and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, which include, but are not limited to; Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment, Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique, Knowledge of basic inventory procedures, Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. (b) Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. (c) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs 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. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 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. (d) 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 Physical Requirements: The incumbent will perform the duties of this assignment in a standing, bending, stooping or sitting position for prolonged periods of time. May require climbing on stools/ladders, and/or lifting or carrying pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 pounds. The incumbent may be exposed to the element's characteristic of the season. The incumbent will operate all equipment in a safe manner and actively support the Medical Center and Pharmacy Service Safety Program. The work environment 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. ["This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until July 24, 2023. Pharmacy technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions including filling outpatient prescriptions and filling inpatient unit dose medication orders, but are not limited to: A. Outpatient Pharmacy Performs duties involved in all facets of outpatient medication distribution which includes use and care of automation (i.e. Script Pro) for prescription filling. Interprets physician orders or prescriptions to determine the kind of medication, strength and dosage to be dispensed. Obtains the correct medication, counts, pours or dispenses by automation, the correct amount and places it into the appropriate container. Labels and prepares the contents for a final check by a pharmacist. Packages medication for delivery to the patient in accordance with United Postal and/or shipping company (i.e. FEDEX) regulations. Uses company software to generate shipping labels. Upon request by a patient, provides procedural information pertaining to obtaining medications from this healthcare system (i.e. how to request a refill). All patient interactions will be performed in a courteous, helpful and friendly manner. B. Inpatient Pharmacy Follows USP 797 Guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparations, including ophthalmic, cardioplegic, TPN, hazardous, large & small volume IV solutions, PCAs, etc. Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or other as require. Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic technique and basic calculations. Dispenses unit dose medication to Pyxis Automated Dispensing Cabinet (ADC) or other patient medication storage system(s) used within the medical center. Uses pharmacy automation such as Talyst, Euclid, and Pyxis to support unit dose medication dispensing. Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic technique and basic calculations. C. Material Management/ Inventory Returns stock medication and supplies to their appropriate areas by the end of each tour of duty. Maintains a clean, orderly workplace and supports prescribed safety practices. Rotates stock, checks for and removes outdated medication. Provides assistance to procurement technicians during times of heavy workload. D. Other functions Maintains the ability to drive a government vehicle for transportation of medications, supplies, and other pharmacy-related materials, as deemed necessary. May be asked to support other areas of Pharmacy Service, as deemed necessary by Chief of Service. MUST possess current, active Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Work Schedule: Full Time, schedule could be rotational including evenings, weekends and holidays, contingent to service needs Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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