Pharmacy Technician

<p>GS-7 Pharmacy Technician The incumbent functions as a Pharmacy Technician primarily in the inpatient and outpatient work areas of the Pharmacy Service within the VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VHACIHS). The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Duties include, but are not limited to: A. Pharmacy Technicians at this grade level are assigned to work in the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy dispensing work areas, performing duties related to: 1. Preparing unit-dose and bulk medication for delivery and distribution to patient care areas located throughout the main campus and off campus locations (e.g., Community Based Outpatient Clinics). 2. Preparing outpatient medication and supply prescriptions for dispensing through the outpatient Pharmacy window and mail delivery systems, including preparing packages to be mailed (regular, overnight, signature required, delivery confirmation, etc.) and receipt of returned mailed packages. 3. Operation of Pharmacy service automation including unit-dose packaging, automated medication dispensing, outpatient medication dispensing, non-sterile and non-hazardous sterile compounding. 4. Operation of the Pharmacy service phone system, including operation of phones in the local Pharmacy Phone Triage Center. Customer service, problem solving, and phone communication skills are necessary. 5. Preparation of non-sterile compounding in accordance with USP <795> guidelines and requirements. 6. Preparation of non-hazardous sterile compounding in accordance with USP <797> guidelines and requirements in the IV room suite. 7. Handling of hazardous medication in accordance with USP <800> guidelines and requirements. 8. Demonstration of inventory management procedures and practice through the performance of medication and supply re-ordering, ward audits, cycle counts, expirations, and medication/supply recall notifications. Pharmacy Technicians may be assigned duties as a ward audit coordinator who coordinates and reports the completion of all Pharmacy medication/supply storage locations. 9. Compliance with laws, rules, and all regulations governing controlled substance medication accountability, security, distribution, dispensing, and inventory. Pharmacy Technicians may be scheduled to work in the controlled substance medication vault. 10. Operation of computer applications related to Pharmacy Service functions, including documentation in the patient's electronic health record when required. 11. Compliance with pharmaceutical waste regulations and facility GEMS programs. Pharmacy Technicians may be assigned champion roles within the Pharmacy Service to work directly with the facility GEMS coordinator to champion service line level compliance. 12. Participates in Pharmacy Service quality assurance/quality improvement initiatives, documentation, tracking, and reporting. 13. Compliance with policies and procedures related to the All-Hazards Emergency Cache and/or facility level emergency preparedness. 14. May be assigned special projects and other duties by their supervisor (Pharmacy Technician Supervisor) or other member of the Pharmacy leadership team related to the Pharmacy Service and the provision of safe and effective pharmaceutical care. B. Training/Education: 1. Assists with the orientation and training of new and existing Pharmacy Service staff as assigned by their supervisor or other member of the Pharmacy leadership team. 2. Participates in meetings, conferences, and programs that provide exposure and insight into the specialized practice area within the Pharmacy Service. 3. Obtains required continuing education and maintains clinical job knowledge and skills. 4. Maintains Pharmacy Technician certification and registration in active and good standing. C. Knowledge required by the position: 1. The Pharmacy technician must have an understanding of brand names, generic names, drug formulary, storage requirements for medications, and an understanding of beyond use dating for packaged products and products prepared in the IV room. The incumbent must have an understanding of the requirements for the dispensing of controlled medications, parenteral medications and outpatient prescriptions. 2. Knowledge of VA policies and procedures especially in the area of Pharmacy service and the legal regulating hospital and Pharmacy requirements. Incumbent must be knowledgeable of the Pharmacy organization, Pharmacy policy and procedure, and provides information, recommendations, and advice concerning Decentralized Hospital Computer Program (DHCP) directly to Pharmacy management. Incumbent will work with the various Pharmacy sections and must be able to prioritize DHCP related activities within the various Pharmacy sections. Incumbent must possess the knowledge of the day-to-day hospital operations and Pharmacy service relationship with other services within the medical center. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday with rotating weekends/holidays 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</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>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/.