This Pharmacy Technician position functions primarily in patient care areas and Pharmacy Service within the Eastern Kansas Health Care System. Basic Requirements: U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English language proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (proof of graduation or equivalent required) or at least 3 months of experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship the full-time work week. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Preferred Experience: Experience in a hospital pharmacy setting is preferred, but not required. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-2: (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirement. GS-3: Education or Experience: Completion of 1 year of post-high school course work related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field(licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.).In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to maintain appropriate files 2.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision 3.Ability to communicate with patients and other health profession GS-4: Education or Experience: Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision 2.Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment 3.Ability to operate pharmacy information systems 4.Ability to maintain appropriate files 5.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision GS-5: Education or Experience. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment 2.Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique 3.Knowledge of basic inventory procedures 4.Knowledge of pharmacy information systems References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated March 2006. Reference is available in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-2 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: This position requires heavy lifting (45lbs and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (8 hours per day); kneeling (2 hours per day); repeated bending (4 hours per day); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable to 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). ["As a Pharmacy Technician, major duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Reads 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. For unit dose medications, independently fills without routine secondary review first dose medications, missing doses, and unit dose carts for inpatient areas. Performs final review of unit dose medications that are repackaged or dispensed by lower graded technicians. Repackages medications in unit-of-use packaging, 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 including barcodes; and records required data on Pharmacy's replenishment/repackaging logs. Prepares all IV admixtures, including cytotoxic agents, investigational drugs,and other hazardous medications, in accordance with established policy and procedures. Adheres to appropriate aseptic technique and sterile procedures in preparing and handling of sterile products. Maintains pre-determined levels of automatic replenishment/ward stock medications for patient care areas. Independently restocks without routine secondary review the patient care areas to established inventory levels. Obtains the correct medications or items for restocking, affixes proper label including barcodes, and delivers the medication to the appropriate patient care area. Assists with inventory management by ensuring that adequate, in date stocks of medications and supplies for dispensing are maintained in the pharmacy. Orders inventory needs during the absence of the Inventory Management Technician. Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition. Compounds and/or reconstitutes simple oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the drug or solution to be used. Performs final review of simple, non-sterile compounds prepared by lower graded technicians. Receives new stock of controlled substances in accordance with VHA regulations. Records all transactions in the VistA Controlled Substances Software package. Ensures the receipt is witnessed by an accountable officer, or designee. Operates and performs preventive maintenance on complicated pharmacy equipment. Provides technical assistance to biomedical and manufacturer service technicians when equipment requires repair or replacement. Coordinates the completion of all monthly ward inspections. Performs ward inspections as assigned on a monthly basis. Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist. Maintains a training/education manual for the focus area assigned. Provides training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained. As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. Work Schedule: The work schedule is intermittent (no set work schedule). This position requires work on irregular tours including nights, weekends and holidays. There are no benefits with this position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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