Pharmacy Technician

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Pharmacy Technician in the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP). Incumbent is a highly skilled technician and works under minimal supervision. Preferred candidates are certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and maintain their national Pharmacy Technician Recertification.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

03/06/2024 to 03/20/2024

This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

• Salary

$55,515 - $72,171 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 6

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Location

3 vacancies in the following location:

• Ladson, SC

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Monday through Friday, 3:30 PM-12:00 AM Local Time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0661 Pharmacy Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBCT-12329530-24-DC

• Control number

780270400

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This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

• Federal employees

• Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

Clarification from the agency

1st area of consideration is internal to the facility. The 2nd area of consideration is internal to the agency, and the 3rd area of consideration is federal status candidates.

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Duties

Functions:

• As required and/or assigned, the incumbent is expected to cover duties of the GS 5 pharmacy technician.

• Performs substantially in repacking bulk pharmaceuticals. Repackages tablets, capsules, etc., into specified quantities and various sized containers.

• Performs quality checks and appropriate mathematical calculations as outlined in the standard operating procedures.

• Replenishes pharmacy stock in automated pharmacy equipment, utilizing the computer inventory system. Rotates stock using FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and checks unusual conditions, such as discoloration referring such information to a supervisor/lead.

• Receives supplies, checks for shortages, tampering, breakage, deterioration, or expiration.

• Accurately interprets and correctly fills prescription in all areas of CMOP.

• Monitors and suggests changes for the improvement of workflow, work methods and priorities.

• Responsible for automatic replenishment of selected pharmaceutical items needed on a regular basis in specialty zones and control substance areas.

• Interacts with logistics personnel lo maintain efficient inventory flow of pharmaceutical needs.

• Gathers workload data to supervisor/lead in a timely manner.

• Witnesses and records the preparation of drugs for destruction by a third party company.

• Documents and notifies supervisory/lead of downtime problems, actions and resolutions for all interruptions in production that exceed 10 minutes.

• Assists with basic and complex inventorying activities and checks for outdated or unsuitable quality of pharmaceuticals.

• Participates in regularly scheduled inventories as assigned.

• Provides training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, students, etc.

• Follows written instructions with aseptic techniques for hazardous material handling, such as oncology agents.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 3:30 PM-12:00 AM Local Time

Compressed/Flexible: Not Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:00004A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

• 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 physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Reminder: Resume should state 35 to 40 hours per week for full-time. We will not be able to assume this information.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. 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: (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).

• Grandfathering Provision: Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

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

Pharmacy Technician, GS-03. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you may use both education and/or experience to qualify; equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. Education and Experience:

• One year of post-secondary education. OR,
• Six months of general experience. OR,
• Student Technician. A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time, part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individual's program.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-04. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you may use both education and/or experience to qualify; equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. Education and Experience:

• Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g. 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses). OR,
• Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR,
• Successful completion of military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), American Pharmacist Association (APHA), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs. NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are NOT actual certifications. OR,
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-03.

In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to follow policies and procedures.

• Ability to maintain appropriate files.

• Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals.

• Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions.

• Ability to operate office software/equipment to include, computers, software applications and printers.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-05 In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you may use both education and/or experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying.Education and Experience:

• Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g., 48 semester hours of science, mathematics, pharmacy) or a bachelor's degree. OR,
• An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training). OR,
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-04.

In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations.

• Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas.

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical and proprietary names of drug).

• Ability to fill prescriptions.

• Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-06 In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, you may use both education and/or experience to qualify; equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. Education and Experience:

• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-05.

In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• 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.

Preferred Experience: Although not required, preferred experience, concentration, or a candidate's area of interest:

• Preferred candidates are certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and maintain their national Pharmacy Technician Recertification.

• Pharmacy Operations & Automation

• Inventory Control & Management

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-06.

Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a highly mechanized warehouse setting around production machinery. Moderate noise and traffic require attention to safety. Some work areas involve a moderate risk requiring the exercise of safety precautions when operating or working around the automated equipment (i.e., accumulators, moving belts, etc.). Wearing gloves is mandatory when handling specific medications. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. and bending/stooping/reaching.

Hazardous Drugs The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous drugs in final dosage form at this workplace, particularly in areas where routine pharmacy tasks, such as handling stock bottles, opening bottles to count tablets or capsules, preparation of prescriptions for dispensing, waste disposal, and spill response are performed.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

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.

Reminder: Resume should state 35 to 40 hours per week for full-time. We will not be able to assume this information.

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• Benefits

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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 window

Learn 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.