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Summary This position is located within the Lee County VA Healthcare System within the Pharmacy Service. This position provides support to all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings. This Includes patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, phone center, outpatient clinic, administration area, or other area as assigned by the supervisor. The position includes independent judgment and team assignments as they relate to pharmacy services and the care of the Veteran. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The duties of the Certified Pharmacy Technician include, but are not limited to the following: Outpatient Pharmacy Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels. for window dispensing and mail delivery. Assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles. Supports automation by manually completing prescriptions not processed through the automation dispensing machine. Verifies the patient's identification following the Medical Center's policies (i.e., double patient identifiers). Utilizes VA software programs to check narratives and problem solve deliveries for patients with no physical address. Assists the Hometown Pharmacist with the CMOP reject reports. Monitors MEDS ON ADMISSION and DISCHARGE MEDICATIONS. If the patient is still in the hospital or released, incumbent will arrange for medications to be mailed or destroyed based on CPRS notes and guidance from a pharmacist. Packages prescriptions appropriately, as to assure that packages are not damaged within transit (i.e., bubble wrap, ice blocks, insulated containers, etc.) Performs searches, updates patient information, and generates shipping reports as requested by the supervisor. Calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verifies patients address. Inpatient Pharmacy Sterile Product Compounding. Follow USP 797/800 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 as required. Uses pharmacy automation such as AutoMed Fast Pack, Euclid, and Pyxis to support unit dose medication dispensing. Dispenses unit dose medication to patient's medication cassette or other patient medication storage system(s) used within the medical center. Applies knowledge of the pharmacy VISTA unit dose package to generate pick lists used to fill patient cassettes. Replenishes ward stock and completes monthly inspections. Restocks crash carts and anesthesia carts as needed. Prepares IV admixtures assigned, to include large volume parenteral and "piggybacks". Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic technique and basic calculations. Properly handles medications by ensuring high alert, hazardous, refrigerated, and controlled substance medications are handled/stored appropriately and legally. Monitors refrigerator temperature daily in assigned areas. Material Management/Inventory Returns stock medication and supplies to their appropriate areas by the end of each tour of duty. Maintains a clean, orderly workplace and supports prescribed safety practices. Rotates stock, checks for, and removes outdated medication. Provides assistance to procurement technicians during times of heavy workload. Work Schedule: Variable - Will be required to work variable tours of duty including evenings, weekends and holidays. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized 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 authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21399F 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. 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 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. None required. 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. GRADE DETERMINATIONS Pharmacy Technician, GS-07 Experience. Candidates must possess one full year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-6) level which are: Knowledge of federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Certification-Documentation Submitted. This position is above the full performance level and the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). or, The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Preferred Experience: A minimum of 1 year of outpatient experience. Experience working in a large, complex VA medical center as a pharmacy technician. Experience preparing and dispensing medications. Competence in preparing and dispensing unit dose medications accurately and efficiently. This includes ensuring proper labeling, prepackaging, and adherence to protocols and regulations. A minimum of 1 year of experience filling and troubleshooting Pyxis and ScriptPro. Proficiency with automated Pharmacy dispensing systems, including the ability to effectively fill, manage inventories, utilize reports, and troubleshoot any operational issues. A minimum of 1 year of experience working at a State Veteran Nursing Home. A minimum of 1 year of experience compounding sterile products using aseptic technique. Demonstrated competency in preparing sterile medications accurately and safely, following stringent aseptic guidelines. A current and active Florida Pharmacy Technician License for working at the State Veteran Nursing Home. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Straight pulling (2 hours), Pushing, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (up to 4 hours), Standing (prolonged), Repeated bending, Climbing, use of legs and arms (infrequent), Operation of motor vehicle, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Specific visual requirement (Ability to read fine print on labels), Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Clear Speech, Emotional Stability, Good Dexterity 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.