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The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for an Pharmacy Technician (Unit Dose). The Pharmacy Technician will function in Pharmacy Service. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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 the GS-6 level and above. A copy of your certification must be submitted with your application. 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: Pharmacy Technician GS-6 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower level (GS-5) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. You must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-5 level which includes: 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 following technical demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) : 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of files and supplies weighing at least 50 lbs., and bending/stooping. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties of the Pharmacy Technician include but not limited to: Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) independently. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. Performs verification of simple, non-sterile compounds prepared by lower level technicians. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class, and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, if required. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts independently. Works independently to accomplish work objectives relying on the guidance and professional support of the pharmacist or technician supervisor assigned, to coordinate the area in which the technician is functioning. Delivers and picks-up items from all areas of the hospital as needed. Keeps all required records accurately and completely, manually or via competent, skilled use of appropriate computer programs. Prepackages medications, determining appropriate quantities, labels, requirements and packaging materials. Answers telephone, screens calls, and provides requested information in a courteous, professional manner to patients and other hospital personnel. Refers calls to the pharmacist when in-depth pharmaceutical knowledge is required. Trains new pharmacy technicians and students as needed. Reviews and records Pharmacy stock needs, using knowledge of usage trends. Notifies supply technician of low/out-of-stock situations, completes monthly \"out-date\" inspections as assigned. Utilizes, cleans and maintains a variety of complex Pharmacy equipment including tablet counters, laminar flow hoods, scales, pumps, unit dose packaging equipment, etc. Performs necessary calculations to compound intravenous solutions and prescriptions. Inputs, manipulates, view and prints data from the VISTA data-base as needed, to process workload. Correctly prepares labels for IV solutions, prescriptions prepackaging, etc., and other materials as needed. Communicates with other health care professionals to clarify orders and determine medication needs. Plans and organizes workload to meet demand. Restocks working areas, rotating stock to ensure the first products to expire are used first. Maintains work area in neat, orderly fashion. Performs other duties as needed to deliver quality pharmaceutical services to the Medical Center patients. Performs automatic replenishment functions for medication and IV solutions, generating computer lists, inventorying areas of use, and stocking these areas. Fills individual patient medication drawer using computer generated Medication Administration Records independently. Restocks and maintains pick stations used with the Unit Dose system. Prepares large volume intravenous solutions, mini bags, syringes, hyperalimentation solutions, irrigations, and other sterile solutions as required, using aseptic technique and properly labels same. Prepares and delivers medications, including narcotics, for the Pyxis machines as determined by daily Pyxis stock out, refill, and other various reports. Work Schedule: Full Time Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday from 2:30 pm to 11:00 pm (with rotating weekends and Holidays) Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement # 91880-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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