Pharmacy Technician

<p>This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level, GS-07, at the Wilkes-Barre VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The purpose of the GS-07 Pharmacy Technician position is to function in various areas of the inpatient or outpatient Pharmacy. e.g., unit dose, IV admixture, various storage areas, offices and patient care areas depending upon the area of administrative assignment of the incumbent, under the supervision of the designated Supervisor, or a registered pharmacist in the absence of a Supervisor. GS-7 Pharmacy Technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions described below. These include but are not limited to; inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications; intravenous admixtures; stock management; operation, maintenance, re-stocking and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment processing; filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items; patient and customer relations; and preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports. The incumbent may be required to perform some or all of the functions; however, the relative percentages of time spent performing each specific function varies with the area of administrative assignment. The tour of duty for this position will be a rotating schedule through Inpatient and Outpatient Pharmacies, as determined by the respective section supervisor, for the needs of Pharmacy Service. Duties: Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create optional work areas Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound a-like, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids, and refrigerated items Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification Manufactures products requiring compounding, whether made in large batches for more than one patient or in small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and attains a final check by a pharmacist Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared Proficiently operates equipment including but not limited to balances and mixing machines in the routing of manufacturing pharmaceutical products Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels. for window dispensing and mail delivery Assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles Performs review of medications prepared by another pharmacy employee to be dispensed to hospital areas Delivery of medications to floors in a timely manner Inventories and replenishes emergency crash carts. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating schedule 6am - 10pm, 8 hour shifts 5 days / week, to include weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Applicable Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 693-03226-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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>Education beyond a high school diploma is not required to qualify for this position.