Career Center

This position functions in the Inpatient Pharmacy Services within the Miami VA Healthcare System. The incumbent is a highly functioning technician, who will perform a variety of complex technical skills and functions, which requires comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practices. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 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-5 (a) Education or Experience. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. 2. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. 3. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. 4. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. GS-6 (a) 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 : (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. (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. This vacancy is above the full performance level GS-06. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Most duties will be performed at the Miami VAMC, although some work at other facilities may be required. The incumbent is expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs), unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other function related to hospital/clinic support. The incumbent performs all duties with limited supervision and is expected to maintain a high degree of accurate productivity and performance. A. Sterile Product Compounding 1. 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 modality as required. 2. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process and supplies the product for pharmacist verification and delivery. 3. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. 4. Consistently displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and/or actual work performance. a. Follows proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding sterile products. B. Unit Dose Medication Management 1. Performs review of medications prepared by another pharmacy employee to be dispensed to hospital areas. 2. Inventories and replenishes emergency trays. 3. Operates and maintains automated dispensing unit dose systems. 4. Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability before submitting for final check, prior to distribution to hospital areas. 5. Assures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards and attains a final review by a pharmacist. 6. Maintains repackaging records that assures all regulatory and review standards are met. 7. Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems as they occur and coordinates resolution of more involved mechanical or software problems with Supervisor, vendor help desk, ADPAC, etc. as appropriate. C. Controlled Substances Activities These functions will be supported in the absence of the controlled substance technician (i.e. after hours, weekends, leave). 1. Appropriately restocks controlled substances items in automated secured cabinets (i.e. Pyxis) throughout medical center, as assigned. 2. Documents all controlled substance related transactions as indicated by VA and DEA guidelines. 3. Maintains confidentiality of access codes. D. Bulk Compounding and Extemporaneous Compounding 1. Manufactures products requiring compounding, whether made in large batches for more than one patient or in small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order. 2. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and attains a final check by a pharmacist. 3. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. 4. Proficiently operates equipment including but not limited to balances and mixing machines in the routing of manufacturing pharmaceutical products. E. Automatic Replenishment/Ward Stock 1. Correctly inventories, assesses, and determines the need for floor stock and external medication. 2. Follows established policies and procedures, schedules, inventory levels, and usage rate reports to determine appropriate stock levels for specific areas of use. 3. Accurately fills prescription items for wards using Automatic Replenishment reports. 4. Performs and documents an inspection of assigned hospital areas for medication storage. Removes all expired and deteriorated drugs from the automated dispensing stations, stocks shelves, and the unit dose automated dispensing systems. Work Schedule: Compressed Tour of duty 9:00 PM-7:30 AM four ten hours shifts per week , rotating weekends and holidays. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-0661-06 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results