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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Pharmacy Technician Near Jefferson Barracks, MO

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.
• Experience and Education (Entry Level): A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience.
• Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above (Must provide copy)
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-6 - Experience. One year experience at the GS-5 level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-5 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action.
2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment.
3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents.
4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products.
5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts.
6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders.

Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II- Appendix G-28, Pharmacy Technician. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers. May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44 lbs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose cassettes, and IV solutions; stooping or kneeling; sitting, walking or standing for long periods of time(4-8hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

Responsibilities:

The Pharmacy Technicians may be selected to work in various areas of the pharmacy. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Receiving, filling, and distributing outpatient prescriptions; preparing inpatient medications and sterile dosage forms; operating and maintaining complicated pharmacy automated and manual equipment; participating in inventory control and management to include coordination with the Procurement Technician to maintain stock levels and/or acquisition of needed medications not routinely stocked; and collecting or documenting data for reports, projects, or statistical purposes.

• Obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form, determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medication; affixes proper label. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. Ambulatory care service includes preparation of temperature and light sensitive products, and damage proof packaging for shipment to patients.
• For unit-dose medications, performs final review of medication when prepared by another technician, to be dispensed to inpatient areas (med-carts, ward stock), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review when necessary.
• Prepares inpatient drug orders including all medicinal dosage forms such as chemotherapy, intravenous admixtures, oral solids, etc., according to established procedures and protocols.
• Prepares sterile products using aseptic technique, in accordance with USP standards for preparing sterile products.
• Inventories and replenishes emergency carts.
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used.
• Maintains, verifies, replenishes, and replaces outdates in patient care area automated machines.

Work Schedule: Various rotating tours. Schedule and placement will be discussed during interviews.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not require

Job Summary