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Summary This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level GS-7 at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS). Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws Major duties but not limited to: Dispensing Prepare, fill, and dispense controlled substances according to policies and procedures. Inventory/Inspections Conducts scheduled inventories as needed according to regulations and policies. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated CS medications from stock, including inpatient wards, inpatient/outpatient storage cabinets, vaults. Maintains accurate electronic inventory through deducting prescriptions, entering received inventory, transferring to automated dispensing cabinets, dispensing on green sheets, and transferring to other dispensing vaults. Assists, reviews, and makes recommendation in inventory control of controlled substances. Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing reports and contacting appropriate patients when needed. Reports discrepancies to pharmacy supervisor for follow up. Assists the Controlled Substance Compliance Inspectors to complete the monthly inspections. Follows policies and procedures for handling the destruction and return of controlled substance medication. Monitors, analyzes orders, and usage/distribution patterns for questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to the supervisor and/or in-charge pharmacist. Procurement Works with pharmacy procurement personnel by providing information regarding medications and supplies needed from the wholesaler based on items used. Training Provides training for pharmacists, interns, technicians, inspectors, students, and others in controlled substance accountability procedures. Preparation Ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow independently in the assigned area. Compounds physician orders for hazardous and non-hazardous medications. Shows advance knowledge of specialized techniques and procedures required for safe handling of cytotoxic agents such as negative pressure technique, hazardous waste disposal, and cytotoxic spill response. Competencies Follows proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding hazardous and non-hazardous medications. Cleaning/Inventory Management Cleans and decontaminates the compounding area following processes and procedures outlined in the SOP. Maintains Chemo/IV room medication inventory, compounding supplies, and cleaning products to ensure availability and minimize waste. Documentation/Regulatory Requirements Assists in maintaining all required records related to sterile compounding and cleaning tasks are documented in electronic platform in a timely manner. Training Assists in maintaining a training /education manual for the focus area assigned. Investigational Drugs Assists pharmacists and physicians by maintaining Investigational drug information files. Maintains and manages Investigational drug dispensing records. Automated Dispensing Equipment Oversees all operational aspects of the pharmacy automation equipment used or provided by pharmacy service. Equipment includes but is not limited to: Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs), Prepackaging and outpatient/inpatient dispensing machines. Outpatient/Inpatient Functions Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 3:00pm- 11:30pm and /or 11:00pm-7:00am. Requires to works weekends, Holidays and On-call. May require to work day shift: 7:00am- 3:30pm/or 8:00am-4:30pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61268F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken Spanish. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education or Experience: 1. None required. 2. For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Certification-Documentation Submitted: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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-07 Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Certification-Documentation Submitted. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT. OR NHA as a ExCPT In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This above the full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.