Pharmacy Technician - Controlled Substance/Vault Technician

Summary

The duties of this position are performed in the controlled substance vault of the Outpatient Pharmacy. Incumbent is responsible for management of controlled substances handled by the Pharmacy Service. Mandated accountability and control of

scheduled drugs makes this a position considered critical by all levels of management. The area of control is the subject of monthly, independent audits to ensure compliance with all pertinent regulations.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/24/2024 to 06/03/2024

• Salary

$64,772 - $84,202 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 8

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Wichita, KS 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• 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

CBSS-12427895-24-EA

• Control number

792990300

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

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

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to current employees of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and CTAP eligibles.

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Duties

Robert J Dole VA Medical Center committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• The incumbent is responsible for ensuring all mail and window prescriptions for outpatient controlled substances and narcotics received during regular business hours are filled daily.

• All orders prepared by the incumbent must be checked by a pharmacist before dispensing.

• The incumbent will maintain inventory control by communicating stock level requirements to the procurement technician and/or the vault pharmacist. Inventory control will be such that low drug stock will be maintained without running out of stock. The individual will maintain accurate dispensing records, file documents in a proper and retrievable manner and maintain absolute vault and drug security. The incumbent will be responsible for

being present to help Logistics check-in and put the order away daily.

• The incumbent will maintain a perpetual count of controlled substances which will be reconciled each work day. Any discrepancies in count or inventory reconciliation will be reported immediately to the vault pharmacist specialist or pharmacy supervisor.

• The incumbent will conduct and lead regularly scheduled inventories with assistance from pharmacy technicians every 72 hours and daily when needed to meet VA regulations and policies.

• The incumbent is responsible for preparing all Schedule II and III controlled substances for registered mail, return receipt requested, and maintaining the files for returned receipts and may assist in postal investigations when necessary.

• The incumbent will be responsible for printing the End of Day mail report and verifying the count is correct for delivery everyday.

• The incumbent's responsibility includes receipt, maintenance, filling, processing returns, and disposition of all controlled drugs, prescription pads (VA Form 10-2577F).

• The incumbent is responsible for preparing inventory reports and accompanying the inspector for inspections of all controlled substances and narcotics. The incumbent will coordinate this inspection along with the vault pharmacist specialist.

• The incumbent is responsible for working alongside backup technicians to ensure delivery of inpatient controlled substances to the facilities inpatient and clinic areas.

• The incumbent will be responsible for issues to clinic areas which stock controlled substances and maintaining records related to the issuance of stock.

• The incumbent is responsible for keeping records of all controlled substances and narcotics that are to be destroyed including expired, deteriorated or outdated items.

• The incumbent will provide whatever assistance is necessary to the inspector while in the performance of the monthly audit.

• The incumbent will rotate through daily workflow shifts (which can include filling, window, phones, non-VA) up to 8 hours per pay period, and any help

with any other tasks your supervisor deems acceptable and necessary.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0700 - 1530

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

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

• 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.

• 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

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.

To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

• Citizenship

• You must be a citizen of the United States

• English Language Proficiency

• You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)

• 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 (GS-07 and above): For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

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

Grandfather Provision. A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

• Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.

• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

• Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.

• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

• In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07).

• Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

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

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

• 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.)

• 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements: ???????Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include butare not limited to significant computer work/typing, prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, 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.

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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.