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Summary The duties of this position are performed in the Narcotic and Controlled Substance storage areas of Inpatient/Outpatient Pharmacy Section, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), Pharmacy Service. The incumbent is a highly specialized technician, who, under the authority of the Chief, Pharmacy Service, is responsible for the management of narcotics and controlled substances handled by the pharmacy. Responsibilities The duties of the Pharmacy Controlled Technician include: Ability to prepare, fill and dispense controlled substance according to policies and procedures. Prepares and prepacks controlled substances in suitable quantities and containers. Reviews each controlled substance and narcotic prescription for policy compliance regarding but not limited to, Joint Commission Standards, nonformulary or restricted prescriber authority, diagnosis, quantity limitations, all required aspects of a controlled substance prescription. Assures compliance with policies prior to completions of order/prescription. Conducts regularly scheduled inventories every 72 hours and daily if needed according to regulations and policies. Assures accountability on all VAF2577s and distributes per TVHS policy. Conducts a full inventory and reconciliation as required as well as preparing reports as outlined by Pharmacy policy and accompanying the monthly, quarterly and annual inspections. Assists the Controlled Substance Compliance Inspectors to complete the monthly inspections. Effectively coordinates, manages, completes, and documents the purchasing of all prescription and non-prescription drug products and supplies by maintaining a comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated CS medications from stock - including inpatient wards, inpatient/outpatient storage cabinets, vaults. Maintains accurate dispensing records and electronic inventory through decrementing prescriptions, entering received inventory, transferring to automated dispensing cabinets, dispensing on green sheets, and transferring to other dispensing vaults. Follows policies and procedures for handling the destruction and return of controlled substance medication. Works with pharmacy procurement personnel by providing information regarding medications and supplies needed from the warehouse or wholesaler based on items used. Assists, reviews, and makes recommendation in inventory control of controlled substances, including turn rates are within acceptable range. Monitors, analyzes orders, and usage/distribution patterns for questionable circumstances or unusual trends, Communicates potential problems to Pharmacy Manager. Provides training for pharmacists, interns, technicians, inspectors, students, and others in controlled substance accountability procedures. Prepares, operates, restocks, and maintains complex automated dispensing cabinets and all necessary equipment supporting pharmaceutical patient care functions. Maintains file of hard copy of hand-written CII-V prescriptions. Files documents in a retrievable and organized manner as prescribed. Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing reports and contacting appropriate persons when needed. Reports discrepancies to pharmacy supervisor. Ensures all controlled substances procedures abide by all local requirements, VISN, OIG and VHA handbook expectations and requirements, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, VACO directives, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requirements, appropriate inventory management practices, and other state and local requirements. Maintains security of controlled substances by controlling access to storage areas, and by ensuring that controlled substances are always kept in the locked, supervised area, specifically designated for controlled substance storage. Receives, records and processes returned CMOP/FedEX/UPS/USPS non-deliverable mail in compliance with all OIG/VISN/SOARS expectations/requirements, Joint Commission standards, VACO directives, DEA requirements. Maintains inventory and review of all Pharmaceutical Cache Narcotics as per TVHS policy. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Based on the needs of the service Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70366-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Education or Experience. None required for the grade level. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: 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 for the GS-08: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) exhibiting Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. and demonstrate the KSA's listed below. Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area in the Definitions Section. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. Education No education requirement. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.