These Pharmacy Technician positions are assigned to the Outpatient Pharmacy at the Providence VA Medical Center, located at the Providence, RI location. The work schedule is INTERMITTENT and based on the needs of the Service. 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. 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: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a 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: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-06) level and demonstrate the KSAs below: 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 3 years experience in Outpatient/Retail Pharmacy setting. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28 Physical Requirements: The incumbent requires adequate manual dexterity and fine motor coordination to utilize some of the instrumentation. The technician will move from a sitting/standing position several times during the day. Bending is occasionally required to access medication or pharmacy equipment. This position requires regular walking, sitting, standing and occasionally handling (lifting and carrying supply boxes, medication totes, etc.) of varying weights (could be up to 50lbs) throughout most of the workday. This is not a sedentary position. ["Pharmacy technicians prepare medications by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing or compounding for distribution to outpatients for pickup and mailing. The pharmacy technician works in collaboration with other pharmacy technicians and responds to requests of pharmacists and other pharmacy supervisory staff. Duties include, but not limited to: Fills prescription orders accurately by selecting correct product based on label requirements and assures each item is filed and labeled according to all applicable standards. Correctly prepares physician orders, selects appropriate product, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner (if applicable) inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labels the product, and supplies the product for pharmacist verification Manufactures all products requiring compounding, whether made in large batches for more than one patient or in small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order Possess advanced technical knowledge of all aspects of drug characteristics and nomenclature. Sets up, adjusts and operates complex automated dispensing devices and equipment that supports the treatment of patients. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Work Schedule: This is an intermittent position so the work schedule will be determined based on the staffing needs of the Pharmacy Service. Tour of Duty to be discussed at time of interview. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized. Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F06757 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Notifications: This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. This position is in the Excepted Service. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
