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Pharmacy technicians provide technical support services to care for inpatients, ambulatory, and outpatients. The full range of technical support functions Include: process and fill outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and nonscheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over the counter products and supply items; inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and stock items and intravenous admixtures, re-stock and troubleshoot of automated dispensing equipment. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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. 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-6 (a) Experience: One year experience at the next lower level of GS 05, 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 (*): (b) Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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: Pharmacy experience in a fast-paced environment. Experience working with Veterans is preferred but not required. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, APPENDIX G-28. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD - GS-661. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 06. Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion including walking, bending, prolonged standing, stooping, lifting and carrying packages weighing up to 40 pounds. Dexterity is required for the operation of Pharmacy equipment. ["MAJOR DUTIES OF THE POSITION ARE: Fill patient unit dose carts independently and utilize order copies or pick lists, review and coordinate orders and pick lists to provide proper dosage; determine if corrections are required. Perform all the functions mentioned; however, the relative percentages of time spent performing each specific function varies with the area of assignment. Maintain unit dose cart inventories, conduct monthly ward and unit dose cart inspections, relay this information to pharmacy personnel, complete monthly storage inspections. Provide proper labeling of stock in wards and clinics, daily monitor expiration dates of all stock and report shortages and out-of- stock conditions. Determine prepackaging needs for unit dose medications and ward stock products for use in clinics. Properly review and monitor packages, labels, documents and verify accuracy of finished product and patient addresses, package medications for mailing, follow controlled substance and cytotoxic product protocol for shipping. Regularly fill a broad range of standard drug and prosthetic items, prepackaged drugs, consumer packs, and manufactured bulk products. Assure timely delivery to outpatient and inpatient areas. Operate and maintain complicated pharmacy equipment including robotic dispensing, automated counting, Scriptpro robots, and bar code re-labeling equipment. Perform restocking of automated dispensing cabinets to include controlled substances. Maintain inventory for the unit dose packaging system, document all medications used in the unit dose packaging system and verify work of other technicians. Perform accurate calculations and convert compounds to proper weights and measure the amount of drug or solution to be used, convert an order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. After orders are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, the technician reviews orders for technical accuracy, answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy staff regarding drug distribution. Assist in total quality improvement activities, participate in medical center and service process assessment and action teams. Demonstrate competence to manufacture complicated parenteral admixtures intended for delivery by large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or piggy- back, display competence with good sterile technique in the manufacture process. Proficiently manufacture, compound and reconstitute oral or external medications in small batches for single prescriptions or in bulk preparations to be dispensed as more than one prescription. Interpret the order, select, measure and verify the ingredients, combine the ingredients with the most efficacious procedure. Inspect the final product for accuracy, uniformity, suitability, and appearance, label the finished product, document the manufacturing process, and package the product for delivery. Manufacture sterile pharmaceuticals with associated high degree of toxicity (e.g., antineoplastic agents). Receive prescription requests from patients and issues medication to patients and responsible third parties, quality check identity and eligibility of patient identification stated on new prescriptions. Work Schedule: Variable overnight tours between 1800-0700. Telework: This is not a telework position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52341-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]

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