Summary The Pharmacy Controlled Substance Technician is certified, highly specialized technician, under the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor, is responsible for the first line management of all controlled substances handled by the Inpatient Pharmacy for the West Palm Beach VAHCS. This technician works closely with the Pharmacy Service Controlled Substance Program Manager (CS PM) to ensure all procedures are in compliance with the VHA Handbook Controlled Substance and DEA directives. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws The Pharmacy Controlled Substance Technician prepares and fills inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances. The technician is responsible for transferring controlled substances from the inpatient pharmacy vault to outpatient pharmacy working stock, and to all inpatient and outpatient clinic CS cabinets or Pyxis machines, on a regular basis so as to assure that an adequate working stock is maintained in each area. This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of federal, VA, and facility regulations regarding controlled substances and pharmacy processes in general and involves performing complex procedures over a range of functions. Controlled Substance functions include, but are not limited to: Conducts all inventories of the vault, Pyxis, and Cache required by federal regulations and as described in VHA Handbooks 1108.1 and 1108.2 for the site of responsibility including the pharmacy annual inventory, biennial inventory, and the 72 hour inventories, and as needed vault inventories. Present at the monthly, unannounced inspection of the Pharmacy controlled substance vault and assists the Controlled Substance Compliance Inspectors to complete the monthly inspections. Ability to prepare, fill, and dispense controlled substance according to policies and procedures. Tracks and accounts for each medication from the moment it is received to the moment it is used or destroyed through use of manual and/or automated systems as necessary. Prepares, operates, restocks, and maintains complex automated dispensing cabinets and all necessary equipment supporting pharmaceutical patient care functions. Investigates and corrects all controlled substance dispensing/administration discrepancies found in any Pyxis machine. Effectively coordinates, manages, completes, and documents the purchasing of all prescription and non-prescription drug products and supplies by maintaining a comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Sterile Product Compounding functions include, but are not limited to: Follows USP 797/800 Guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparations, including ophthalmic, cardioplegic, hazardous, large & small volume IV solutions, PCAs, etc. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and supplies the product for pharmacist verification and delivery. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. Performs necessary calculations to compound intravenous solutions and prescriptions. Non-sterile Compounding functions include, but are not limited to: Performs bulk compounding, including oral and topical preparations. Prepares required records for extemporaneous compounding and reports atypical occurrences regarding change in color, consistency, etc. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) independently. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. Proficiently operates equipment including but not limited to balances and mixing machines in the routing of manufacturing pharmaceutical products. Stock Control functions include, but are not limited to: Responsible for putting stock away in its proper storage areas. Communicates stock shortages to the procurement technician or supervisory employees to help prevent shortages and minimize patient inconvenience. When directed, is responsible for receiving, and storing pharmaceuticals. Removes unusable products from active stock, coordinates disposition of unusable stock with Procurement. Restocks working areas, rotating stock to ensure the first products to expire are used first. Puts away all pharmacy returns to ensure that returned medication is rotated and recycled for reissuance. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00am to 2:30pm Telework: Not suitable for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:41229F, Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient Pharmacy- Controlled Substances) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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). Grade Determinations: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 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. Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-07) level and demonstrate the KSAs below. The KSAs at the GS-07 grade level are: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Demonstrated 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: 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 Area.in the Definitions Section. 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. Certification. This position is above the full performance level, therefore, the employee must have passed a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/ carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies and bending/stooping/stretching. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for more information. 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. 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.