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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT This announcement will remain open until the March 31, 2023 closing date, which is the date beyond which the system no longer accepts applications for an advertised position. The initial cut-off date is January 31, 2023 Applications submitted after January 31, 2023, may not receive consideration. This Pharmacy Technician position is located VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Leeds, Massachusetts. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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 in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: GS-6: Experience: One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the GS-6: 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, GS-661, Veterans Health Administration The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Position requires some walking, standing, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds. The incumbent may be required to move equipment to facilitate the service's needs or program changes as dictated by either the service or the agency. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Scope of Duties: Duties include but not limited to the following description: The pharmacy technician works in collaboration with other pharmacy technicians and responds to requests of pharmacists and other pharmacy supervisory staff. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following description: Processes and fills outpatient prescriptions under the supervision of a pharmacist; Reviews outpatient drug orders and patient refill requests in the VISTA system to prioritize the filling and dispensing with the pharmacist; Assists in the process by selecting, counting/pouring, and labeling the prescription; Records required information on Pharmacy's copy of the prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication to outpatients; Prepares/distributes inpatient medication orders according to dosage forms such as intravenous admixtures and oral solids, according to established procedures and/or protocols; Prepares sterile products using aseptic techniques, in accordance with applicable USP standards; Utilizes the inpatient pick list to select medications as per procedures; Delivers the unit dose carts as per schedule; Reconstitutes oral and external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures, the amount of drug or solution to be used. Final check is performed by a pharmacist; Packages and labels unit of use medications; Restocks ward and clinic areas; Performs monthly ward/clinic inspections in accordance with JCAHO standards; Receives and appropriately manages/routes telephone calls from the national pharmacy and local call centers; Sorts and distributes all incoming mail to staff as appropriate; Sorts medication returned by mail for proper disposal or mailing to appropriate address. Reviews mail-in refill requests from patients and enters notes in CPRS when prescription have expired or have no remaining refills; and Processes telephone and on-line refill requests from patients. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F1396 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay."]

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