VA Jobs Near Me – Pharmacy Technician

Summary

This Pharmacy Technician position is located at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas and functions in the Inpatient Pharmacy section. The employee must be able to perform in all areas of the Pharmacy including expanded distribution functions, which require an extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practice.

Recruitment or Relocation incentive may be paid to a Highly Qualified candidate.

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Duties

If you ARE a current, permanent VA employee, or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-11639862-22-ARS.

Duties of the Pharmacy Technician, may include but are not limited to:

Fills outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items;
Inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items, intravenous admixtures including cytotoxic chemotherapy, stock management;
Operation, maintenance, re-stocking and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment; patient and customer relations; and preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports;
Must possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers’ orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose is prepared and/or distributed;
Working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders for propriety and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems;
Working knowledge of hospital computer systems, specifically the applicable VistA and CPRS and Class III software applications (e.g., BCMA, unit dose, outpatient prescription processing including ATC dispensing machine, IV admixtures, etc.);
Mastery of aseptic technique used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals for parenteral administration, advanced technical working knowledge of various administration routes for various parenteral pharmaceuticals and the special preparation considerations that must be taken into account in their preparation, handling, storage, distribution and disposal;
Advanced technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in the preparation of intravenous admixtures including, but not limited to, horizontal laminar flow hoods, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc.;
Specialized knowledge regarding chemical and physical compatibilities is essential for the proper preparation of parenteral pharmaceuticals;
Advanced technical knowledge of hazardous cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents including, but not limited to, the dangers posed to those who prepare, deliver, administer and/or receive treatment with these agents; equipment and supplies used in the preparation of cytotoxic chemotherapy including, but not limited to, vertical laminar flow hoods and personal protective equipment, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc.;
Advanced knowledge of specialized techniques and procedures required for safe handling of cytotoxic agents such as negative pressure technique, hazardous waste disposal, and cytotoxic spill response;
Advanced technical knowledge of all aspects of drug characteristics and nomenclature including generic/chemical and brand names, dosage forms, various systems of weights and measures, drug product codes, drug interchangeability and therapeutic equivalence; characteristics of drug packaging; various uses for drugs;
VA and regulatory agency requirements for drug storage; special requirements for procurement, storage, distribution, and handling of various classes of drugs;
An advanced technical working knowledge of usage rates, stock levels, inventory maintenance concepts including just-in-time inventory and inventory turns, equipment utilized for procurement, contract adherence sources is also required;
Assignments involve the procurement/storage/preparation/review/distribution and control of medications/other pharmaceutical products to patients, inpatient and outpatient treatment units, and research investigators. The work product directly affects the health of inpatients and outpatients.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework: Not Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 580-00225-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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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.
Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience.
English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above.
Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Pharmacy Technician, GS-6:

Experience: One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level.

Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action.
Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment.
Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents.
Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products.
Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts.
Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28.

This vacancy is announced above the full performance level at the GS-6 level.

Physical Requirements: The work involves standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting or carrying of pharmaceutical supplies, including bending and stooping to include the transporting of mail collection container to mailroom. Moderate lifting may be required (up to 40 lbs.).

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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