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Summary The incumbent is the Pharmacy Technician for all pharmacy areas and performs a variety of specialized technical support functions in the Pharmacy Service, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the professional staff. Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and work autonomously using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties. The high-level duties consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety to be performed at least 25% of the time. Responsibilities MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Pharmacy Technician for controlled substances: monitors pharmacists and technicians for compliance with controlled substance policies and procedures to assure accountability; trains pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and controlled substance inspectors on all pharmacy-controlled substance procedures as defined in relevant VHA Handbooks and local policy; investigates all reported discrepancies; performs balance adjustments; generates all required reports in cases of controlled substance loss. Pharmacy Technician for investigational drugs performs all inventory management, dispensing and record keeping activities for all investigational drugs on site, advises pharmacy leadership regarding issues and concerns, and recommends appropriate resolution for identified issues. Pharmacy Technician for compounding sterile products including chemotherapeutic agents: trains pharmacy staff on established procedures to assure compliance with USP Chapter 797 requirements; completes competency assessments for pharmacy staff; assures timely completion of all elements of the quality assurance plan for compounding sterile products. Pharmacy Technician for the ward inspection process: coordinates ward inspections assignments to assure all areas are covered; provides training and oversight for pharmacy technicians; monitors inspections for timely and accurate completion. Maintains the local VA All-Hazards Cache: receives new product; rotates stock; accordingly, checks expiration dates; performs weekly inspections; assures compliance with the Shelf- L i f e Extension Program (SLEP). Develops and maintains a tracking mechanism for all non-formulary drug requests consults; aggregates data and generates reports for pharmacy leadership quarterly; provides technical and clinical guidance to clinical pharmacist non- formulary drug request consult reviewers. Develops and maintains the process for tracking inventory of selected noncontrolled substances; selects appropriate drug products, completes inventory counts; documents data; tracks and trends results. Accurately prepares and labels inpatient and outpatient medications for final review by a pharmacist. Accurately prepares and labels-controlled substance prescriptions for final review by a pharmacist according to established policies, procedures, and regulations regarding security and record keeping. Completes controlled substance inventory functions. Accurately receives new stock and returned stock into inventory according to established policies, procedures and regulations regarding inventory record keeping. Correctly operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment according to established Standard Operating Procedures. Accurately replenishes controlled and non-controlled substances in ScriptPro, Script Center, and Medication Carousel units. Assists medical center staff and patients, either by phone or in person, concerning drug distribution, refill requests, mail, and general triaging of requests for the pharmacists. Compounds hazardous and non-hazardous sterile, and non-sterile products by selecting, calculating, and measuring the appropriate ingredients; mixing in a safe and effective manner utilizing aseptic technique when appropriate; inspects final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance; labels the product, and maintains records of the process. Performs final review of medication prepared by another technician to be dispensed to inpatient areas. Accurately completes VISTA documentation including units dispensed and automatic replenishment. Trains, orient and mentors' new technicians and students regarding facility and department policies and procedures and controlled substances policies and procedures. Assists department leadership in data collection for process monitoring and improvement activities. Performs all duties of lower graded technicians, if required. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: Completes tasks and responsibilities with minimal supervision of the Pharmacy Operations Manager and the Supervisory Pharmacy Technician. Completes tasks according to and in compliance with facility policies and department standard operating procedures and established practices. Brings unresolved problems immediately to the attention of the supervisor. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature. Displays a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals. Ensures productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday evening tour, 2:30 PM - 11:00 PM. Will also work Holidays as assigned. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician/PD000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 Certification: 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 - Pharmacy Technician, GS-7: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) GS-6 level experience includes: 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. Certification: 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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination Education There is not education substitution at this grade level. 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.