Pharmacy Technician - Shreveport, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

The Pharmacy Technician - Compounded Sterile Products position is performed in the sterile compounding areas and accompanying areas of the inpatient pharmacy section at OBVAMC.

The incumbent is a highly specialized technician, who is under the direct supervision of the Pharmacy Technician Supervisor with guidance from the Compounded Sterile Products (CSP) Program Manager and/or Inpatient Pharmacy Manager and is responsible for the preparation of sterile compounds handled by Pharmacy.

Learn more about this agency

Help

Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

05/07/2024 to 05/16/2024

• Salary

$60,998 - $79,296 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 8

• Help

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Shreveport, LA 1 vacancy
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -* Work schedule

Full-time -* Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0661 Pharmacy Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBST TM

• Control number

Help

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration - current, permanent Overton Brooks VA Medical Center employees including satellites only.

Videos

Help

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Pharmacy Technician:

The CSP Pharmacy Technician will perform sterile compounding functions to ensure timely and accurate patient care is provided to our Veterans.

In addition, the incumbent will comply with all regulatory requirements associated with sterile compounding.

Most duties will be performed in the intravenous (IV) cleanroom suite, and/or segregated compounding areas and include compounding sterile products for dispensing, making appropriate record entries, reviewing IV administration records, and assisting inspectors, review teams, and other staff during routine inquires and inspections.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Using aseptic technique, compounding both complicated and uncomplicated parenteral admixtures in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or another modality as required.
• Preparing sterile ophthalmic preparations and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals such as total parenteral nutrition.
• Correctly interprets orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in an aseptic and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy prior to the pharmacist's final check, labels the product, maintains records of sterile compounds, and supplies the product for delivery.
• Understands specific handling considerations for storage, distribution, and disposal of medications.
• Consistently displays competence with good aseptic technique manufacturing practices through demonstration and/or actual work performance.
• Technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in compounding sterile products including but not limited to needles, syringes, and various compounding supplies, etc.
• Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including but not limited to, Automated Dispensing System (ADS), Automated Sterile Compounding Equipment, and Primary Engineering Controls.
• Ensures that the IV cleanrooms and segregated compounding areas are cleaned appropriately, and all logs are completed for daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning.
• Uses knowledge, skills, and abilities to resolve questionable orders or situations to ensure quality of care. Contacts pharmacists to obtain clarification for prescriptions/orders or any situation that presents a possible patient safety issue.
• Performs accurate product selection, dosage calculations, and compounding of agents utilizing package literature, written procedural guidelines and application of specialized knowledge.
• Generates proper product identification labeling and assigns accurate stability and handling information. Labeling also includes appropriate auxiliary information to ensure safety and efficacy to the patient and other handlers of the product.
• Performs monthly inspections for outdated medications and supplies according to local policy and standard operating procedures.
• Assists in other patient care areas as deemed necessary to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services.
• Participates and assists in patient care activities during emergency situations, (i.e., major disasters)
• Ensures that all facility mandatory training (e.g., fire and safety, prevention of sexual harassment, customer service, prevention of violence in the workplace, etc.) are accomplished within established timetables and properly documented in service training files. Must maintain training requirements, national pharmacy technician certification, and meet annual competencies required for the position.

Education/Training.

• Participates in the training and orientation of pharmacy staff.
• Maintains and improves professional competency by keeping up with information on new medications and innovations in pharmacy practices.
• Remains up to date on all Talent Management System (TMS) training.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 6:00 am - 2:30 pm with some weekends, holidays and hours outside of Tour of Duty

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay:
Competitive salary and regular salary increases


Telework:
Ad Hoc


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00489-F


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized


Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

Help

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.

Education or Experience.

(1) None required.

(2) 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:

(1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR

(2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).


Grade Determinations:
Pharmacy Technician, GS-08

Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.

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:

(a) 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 the Definitions Section.

(b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.

(c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

Pharmacy Technician.

Pharmacy technicians in this assignment specialize in areas such as sterile compounding, oncology, controlled substances, medication history review, clinical specialist (anticoagulation, pain, infectious diseases), clinical informatics, automation, immunizations and any other specialized area in the advancement of the profession.

The pharmacy technician will serve as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day technician duties of the specialized area.

The technician will be performing assignments such as compounding sterile products, filling controlled substance prescriptions while maintaining compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations, taking medication histories and counseling patients, managing automation, managing workflow and training and orienting staff in the specialized area.

Preferred Experience:
Sterile Compounding Experience


References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28, November 07, 2023

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements:

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Education


IMPORTANT:

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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:
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:
Additional information

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

Read more

• Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members:

Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.