Pharmacy Technician
Department of Veterans Affairs
Bronx, NY
evenings
Sign-On Bonus

Pharmacy Technician

Summary The Pharmacy Technician Full Time will work in in the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, New York and works in the Pharmacy Department. The Pharmacy Technician possess the skills to perform a full range of technical pharmacy duties as well as associated administrative duties which include processing and filling outpatient prescriptions. This is an Open and Continuous Announcement. Learn more about this agency Help Overview * Accepting applications * Open & closing dates 02/21/2024 to 12/30/2024 * Salary $57,063 - $74,184 per year * Pay scale & grade GS 6 * Help Location * Bronx, NY * Remote job No * Telework eligible No * Travel Required Not required * Relocation expenses reimbursed No * Appointment type Permanent - * Work schedule Full-time - * Service Excepted * Promotion potential None * Job family (Series) 0661 Pharmacy Technician * Supervisory status No * Security clearance Other * Drug test Yes * Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk * Trust determination process Suitability/Fitness * Announcement number CAZX-12315907-24-AS * Control number 777477800 Help This job is open to * The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarification from the agency Area of Consideration: US Citizens Videos Help Duties Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: 1. Read 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 Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. 2. For unit-dose medications, performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit-dose carts), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review. 3. Compounds sterile products, both uncomplicated and complicated, and those associated with a high degree of toxicity such as chemotherapeutic drugs by following manufacturing practices and aseptic techniques meeting USP 797 and USP 800 requirements. 4. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications without a second review. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. 5. Performs final verification of simple non-sterile compounds prepared by lower-level technicians. 6. Dispenses ward stock according to par levels. Rotates stock and checks expirations dates when delivering stock. 7. Dispenses controlled substances in accordance with all policies and laws governing the receipt, storage and control of these drugs when called upon to do so. 8. Conducts monthly ward inspections of patient care areas. 9. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts without a second review. 10. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes working in conjunction with the inpatient supervisor and QM pharmacist. 11. Operates automated dispensing equipment to accomplish dispensing function. Prepackages medication using safe work practices. 12. According to policies and procedures monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas and relays this information to the appropriate Pharmacy personal. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. 13. Assists in other patient care areas as deemed necessary to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. 14. Applies safe handling when using hazardous materials including P and U listed waste and references the Material Safety Data Sheets. 15. Conveys pharmacy policies and procedures to all customers when asked or needed. 16. Documents activities as required by policy or law in the time frames specified. 17. Performs all required tasks using the hospital-based computer system as per the policies for computer security and patient confidentiality. 18. Resolves routine patient care issues that are consistent with their responsibilities by adhering to medical center and service security policies. 19. Protects inventory from waste, fraud and diversion while working in a high security area. 20. Provides technical assistance and problem-solving support to all customers with a view towards accomplishing the service mission. 21. Recognizes physical, mental and behavioral changes that may be age related and are barriers to drug therapy compliance and reports findings to the provider or pharmacist when necessary. Performs other related duties as assigned. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts including weekends, evening and holidays Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: This is not a Telework position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21M09A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Help 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: * United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. * Education or Experience. None required. * Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. * 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). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 5, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Pharmacy Technician, GS-06: (1)Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. (2) 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. Assignments: Pharmacy technicians at the full performance level may fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered. Preferred Experience: Sterile and Hazardous Compounding experience preferred References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28, dated November 7, 2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 6. Physical Requirements: Work requires long periods of sitting, standing and walking, bending, twisting, and carrying items up to 25lbs. Fine motor skills for the manipulation of products are also required. Education IMPORTANT: There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional information 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. Read more * Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.