Truman VA's Pharmacy Service seeks Pharmacy Technician's with prior pharmacy experience to join our team to work in any area of Pharmacy Service. Please review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement below. 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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Physical Requirements: See Below 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: GS-2 Experience. None beyond the basic requirement. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician/aide-training level position. GS-3 Education or Experience. Completion of 1 year of post-high school coursework 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to maintain appropriate files. 2. Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision. 3. Ability to communicate with patients and other health professions. Assignments. Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician/aide training level position. 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. Assignments. Pharmacy technicians at the GS-4 level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and techniques. 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. Assignments. This is the full performance level for pharmacy technicians. Employees at this grade level serve as staff pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures, and require minimal supervision. Preferred Experience: 2 to 5 years of Pharmacy Technician experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006, PART II, APPENDIX G28, II-G28-4; Pharmacy Technician 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: Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers. May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44 lbs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose cassettes, and IV solutions; stooping or kneeling; sitting, walking or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job. ["The incumbent must be reliable, team oriented, and be willing to positively contribute to meeting goals in our busy environment. The incumbent is the technical specialist in providing patient care related to preparation and dispensing of bulk, unit dose, and compounded parenteral medication. A broad and in-depth knowledge of the components of medication preparation and dispensing practices is required including: sterile compounding, aseptic technique, brand and generic names, general and specific storage requirements, expiration dates, manufacturer and distributor sources, dose forms, systems of weights and measures, medical terminology, common medication preparation and distribution issues, hospital computer systems such as VISTA, CPRS, and BCMA, and a working knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance and minor repair of automated dispensing equipment. S/he works under the supervision of the Supervisory Technician and works independently under established procedures. Completed work is checked by the pharmacist. Guidance is always available from a pharmacist and must be sought when clarification is needed. Work Schedule: Various, (Alternating weekends and holidays, Our technicians work a set schedule, with weekend rotation, and sometimes flex to meet changing workplace needs) Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
