Summary The Pharmacy technician utilizes different abilities and knowledge to staff in various areas of Pharmacy Service such as: Inpatient, Outpatient, Ambulatory and Clinics and Fluid room. Will primarily be responsible for covering the fluid room and delivering to the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Salary Ranges: GS-3: $ GS-4: $43,231 - $56,196 GS-5: $48,368 - $62,874 GS-6: $53,917 - $70,094 Responsibilities Reads and interprets prescriptions/orders accurately, 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 correctly per protocols. Ensure deliveries of medications are made prior to the specified times outlined by the supervisor or pharmacist. If unable to complete by specified time, communicates to appropriate peer, pharmacist, or supervisor prior to the deadline. Inventories replenished emergency carts without a second view. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvements purposes. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment (including routine cleaning on equipment). Establish knowledge of hospital computer system(s) currently in use by the facility (examples: electronic health record, automated dispensing equipment, etc.) and execute troubleshooting or technical support as required. Understands downtime contingencies. After prescription/order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Monitors refrigerator temperature daily in assigned areas. Conducts periodic ward inspection of clinic care areas, nursing medication rooms, and/or Pharmacy areas as assigned. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdates in patient care area automated dispensing machines. Routinely delivers to all medication areas within the Hines Campus and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC)s as assigned. Work Schedule: 6:00am-2:30pm primarily. Rotating weekends/holidays/tour times as needed for patient care. Telework: Not telework eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Travel Required: Yes, 75% Driving Required: Yes Physical Requirements: 1. The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the duties of this position. 2. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent twisting/turning, and bending/stooping. 3. The incumbent must be able to perform lifting/carrying, pushing, or pulling different types of equipment such as cabinets, carts or supplies weighing at minimum 50 pounds through various terrains. 4. Requirement for Driving to CBOCs and Hines Campus 5. This position routinely prepares medications that requires special handling and documentation including but not limited to hazardous drug medications. Must be able to wear appropriate respiratory and other personal protective equipment (i.e., N-95s, PAPRs) as required by policy. 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 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). 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: None. Only required above the full performance level. 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). In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria is to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-3 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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 or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time, part-time or intermittent basis for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individual's program. GS-4 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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: i Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR ii 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 iii One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level. AND, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to follow policies and procedures. (b) Ability to maintain appropriate files. (c) Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals. (d) Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions. (e) Ability to operate office software/equipment to include, computers, software applications and printers. GS-05 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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 level. AND, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations. (b) Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas. (c) Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical and proprietary names of drug). (d) Ability to fill prescriptions. (e) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight. GS-6 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Education or Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. AND, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. (b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. The Full Performance Level of this occupation is GS-6. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level GS-6 without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. 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.