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Summary Specializes in sterile compounding, oncology, controlled substances, medication history review, clinical specialist (anticoagulation, pain, infectious diseases), clinical informatics, automation, immunizations. Compounds sterile products, fills controlled substance prescriptions while maintaining compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency regulations, takes medication histories & counsels patients, manages automation, manages workflow & trains & orients staff in the specialized area. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties: Required to have concepts, principles, methodology & policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Trains & orients new & existing pharmacy facility employees & students on proper policies & procedures. Evaluates, analyzes & coordinates workflow & work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Controlled Substances Prepares & fills all inpatient orders/requests for controlled substances for distribution. All prescriptions will be checked & signed by a pharmacist. Packages & labels of controlled substances for inpatient/clinic ward orders for controlled substances in accordance to VA Policy, SOP & Federal guild lines. Maintains all records for the distribution, returns & destruction of controlled substances to the inpatient pharmacy according to VA policy & federal laws. Receives new stock & returned stock into inventory, ensuring the accuracy of controlled drug records. Utilizes the VISTA Controlled Substance package exclusively to maintain an accurate inventory of drugs in vault. Conducts regularly scheduled inventories twice weekly & daily if needed. Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing VISTA & Automation Unit reports & contacting appropriate persons when needed. Reports discrepancies to pharmacy supervisor for follow up. Interacts with controlled substance inspection officials, assisting with the inventory, review of invoices & VISTA/Pyxis reports. Resolves & answers discrepancies/questions resulting from the inspection team report. Authorizes & executes authority to initiate & complete all orders for controlled drugs, including local requirements, VACO directives, DEA requirements, & other state & local requirements. Monitors & analyzes orders & distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to supervisor. Monitors controlled substances stock levels, maintaining an appropriate level of stock to provide good patient care without excess stock. Assures that the vault stock is in date & stored according to recommendations of manufacturer & USP. Provides controlled substance training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, students, residents, while maintaining a training record. Requires a working understanding of principles relating to controlled substances, & the requirements of medical center policies & Federal & State regulations which apply to these drugs. Understands trending & analysis necessary to ensure that problems associated with waste, fraud or abuse are identified quickly & reported. Other technician duties: Performs all the duties of a Pharmacy Technician at lower grades as assigned. Assists in inpatient & outpatient section as time permits performing all other duties as assigned to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. ADP Security: Accesses printed & electronic file containing sensitive data which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 & other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes & policy, & VHS policy. Protect is that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations & instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in a computer access agreement which the employee signs. Understands drug & medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general & special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms applicable system of weights & measures, & medical terminology in order to interpret physicians' orders & verify that correct drug, dosage form, strength, & dose are prepared & dispensed. Working understanding of drug use & dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders for propriety & assist the pharmacist in solving potential problems. Has working knowledge of hospital computer system (VISTA/CPRS), specifically the applicable DHCP processing options & good keyboarding skills. Has thorough understanding of operation & capabilities of Inventory Management, Unit Dose Automation & automated dispensing systems & the ability to perform daily maintenance/minor repairs to such systems. Completes understanding of the laws, regulations & official policy concerning drug procurement & security to conform to legal & professional requirements of pharmacy practice. Engages in quality improvement process & the skill to participate in the process to improve services. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 6:00am-2:30pm; nights & weekends as assigned. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 59674-0 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. 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 may 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: None required Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Health career 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: Lead Pharmacy Technician, GS-08. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Lead pharmacy technicians perform duties independently, which consist of significant scope and complexity and will assist with technician oversight. Lead pharmacy technicians lead three GS-07 or more pharmacy technicians/employees/staff members, provide direction for daily operations and assume responsibility for integrating and monitoring standard pharmacy policies to maintain continuous workflow and quality within the service. Lead pharmacy technicians must do a combination of at least three of the following duties: prepare work schedules and assign tasks to ensure timely completion of duties; ensure pharmacy resources are in optimal working condition and address workflow needs; provide guidance and support of the work unit in supervisory absence; train personnel (including students) in methods, procedures and use of equipment and instruments specific to the assigned area; provide input to supervisor on performance and training needs of employees; adjust work assignments due to absences, emergencies or changes in priorities; resolve simple informal complaints of employees and patients, refer more difficult problems to the supervisor; or recommend approval and/or disapproval of leave requests. Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) and demonstrate the KSAs below. 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 the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: 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 Preferred Experience: One year inpatient pharmacy technician experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Education 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.