Summary This Pharmacy Technician position is assigned to the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Pharmacy Service within the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, Bay Pines, FL. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy technicians perform routine pharmacy functions including filling, preparation and dispensing of prescriptions, sterile compounding preparation, management of automated dispensing equipment (ADE), inventory management and multiple types of customer contact services. Responsibilities The duties of the Pharmacy Technician include, but are not limited to the following: Outpatient Pharmacy Performs duties involved in all facets of outpatient medication distribution which includes use and care of automation (i.e., Script Pro) for prescription filling. Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on electronically or via the Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in a clinic, ambulatory care, dispensing window, or discharge situations. Packages medication for delivery to the patient in accordance with United Postal and/or shipping company (i.e., FEDEX) regulations. Uses company software to generate shipping labels. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) following standardized formulas and procedures in weighing, measuring and mixing bulk quantities of routinely used solutions, ointments, or powders. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Upon request by a patient, provides procedural information pertaining to obtaining medications from this healthcare system (i.e., how to request a refill). All patient interactions will be performed in a courteous, helpful, and friendly manner. Monitors refrigerator temperature daily in assigned areas. Inpatient Pharmacy Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdates in patient care area automated dispensing machines. Uses pharmacy automation such as AutoMed Fast Pack, Euclid, and Pyxis to support unit dose medication dispensing. Dispenses unit dose medication to patient's medication cassette or other patient medication storage system(s) used within the medical center. Applies knowledge of the pharmacy VISTA unit dose package to generate pick lists used to fill patient cassettes. Replenishes ward stock and completes monthly inspections. Restocks crash carts and anesthesia carts as needed. Prepares IV admixtures assigned, to include large volume parenteral and "piggybacks". Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic technique and basic calculations. Properly handles medications by ensuring high alert, hazardous, refrigerated, and controlled substance medications are handled/stored appropriately and legally. Monitors refrigerator temperature daily in assigned areas. Material Management/ Inventory Returns stock medication and supplies to their appropriate areas by the end of each tour of duty. Maintains a clean, orderly workplace and supports prescribed safety practices. Rotates stock, checks for, and removes outdated medication. Provides assistance to procurement technicians during times of heavy workload. Work Schedule: Variable - Will be required to work variable tours of duty including evenings, weekends and holidays. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 82041F, 82042F, 20248F, 2050F 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 physical examination. 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. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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). 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. 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 Pharmacy Technician, GS-03 Education and Experience (a) One year of post-secondary education Or, (b) Six months of general experience Or, (c) 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. Education and Experience (a) Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g., 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses) Or, (b) Completion of one of the following: Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice Or, Successful completion of a 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 next lower grade (GS-3) level Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Education or Experience (a) 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 (b) An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training) Or, (c) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-4) level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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 Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-5) level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, 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: Experience working in a complex health care facility and working in a fast paced inpatient and outpatient pharmacy setting. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Straight pulling (2 hours), Pushing, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (up to 4 hours), Standing (prolonged), Repeated bending, Climbing, use of legs and arms (infrequent), Operation of motor vehicle, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Specific visual requirement (Ability to read fine print on labels), Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Clear Speech, Emotional Stability, Good Dexterity The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.