Summary The Pharmacy Technician (Controlled Substance) typically carry out the full range of technical support functions to include processing and filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items; inpatient and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items and intravenous admixtures including cytotoxic chemotherapy. Responsibilities 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 The North Battlefield VA Outpatient Clinic (NBVAOPC) is scheduled to open in November of 2024. Those hired for these positions will be required to work at the VA Medical Center or one of the other CBOCs (management determination based on need) until the NBVAOPC opens. Major duties include but are not limited to: Routinely performs inspections of assigned areas, checking for outdates, over or under stocked items, condition of products, maintaining all pharmacy areas and equipment in a clean, neat, and organized fashion. Actively participate in stock management activities including but not limited to inventories, stock rotation, proper storage, maintenance of stock storage, maintenance of stock storage areas, processing of return goods, etc. Maintains quality control records for extemporaneously compounded products and pre-pack items. Correctly processes and labels drugs, pre-pack items, bulk supplies, etc. Properly operates all equipment in the assigned area(s) in an efficient manner. Functions as first-line telephone contact for patients, providers and/or the public. Addresses telephone requests in a timely and courteous fashion, processing, for example, refill request, etc. Forwards calls beyond the technician's scope to a pharmacist or supervisor. Properly processes, fills and package outpatient prescriptions for window and mail efficiently to achieve a thirty-minute window waiting time and two-day mail turnaround time. Dispenses medications at the outpatient window after using two methods of verifying identity of the patient/caregiver, providing special assistance to those with increased need. Prepares and fills orders/prescriptions for controlled substances for final pharmacist verification in outpatient settings and for restocking of automated dispensing cabinets in clinic and inpatient areas of use. Regularly complies with agency, federal or other pertinent regulations, policies and procedures as related to controlled substances. Performs controlled substance inventories in all controlled substance vaults in pharmacy in accordance with VA policies and frequencies Maintains stock levels of all items necessary to ensure efficient drug distribution, maximizing inventory turns and minimizing on hand stock (just-in-time inventory) to ensure efficient utilization of resources. Perform various functions associated with procurement inventory of drugs solutions, supplies, disposables, and equipment. Interacts with a wide variety of staff and demonstrates sensitivity to and an understanding of their needs by taking ownership of the problem and adopting the customer's needs as their own. Performs other duties as assigned to meet the clinical needs of the facility. Work Schedule: Work hours vary depending on the needs of the service. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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) 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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). Education or Experience. (1) None required. (2) 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. 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). Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. (1) Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). (2) Certification. For Pharmacy Technician, GS-07, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), OR (b) National Healthcareer Association (NHA) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with DEA regulations surrounding controlled substances. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005/159 Part II Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, 15-25 pounds with occasional heavier lifting. Light carrying, 15-25 pounds with occasional heavier carrying. Straight pulling (up to 2 hours). Pushing (up to 2 hours). Reaching above shoulder. Use of fingers. Repeated bending. Walking (up to 8 hours). Standing (up to 8 hours). Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed. 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 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.