Pharmacy Technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB as a CPhT or NHA as a ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgment to perform a full range of duties. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the Amarillo VA Healthcare System and Pharmacy. Basic Requirements: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Education or Experience: None required. 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 (GS-07 and above): 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07 In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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: At least 1 year experience working in the Amarillo / Lubbock VA Pharmacy At least 1 year experience working in a VA hospital pharmacy Experience preparing IV compounded solutions Experience troubleshooting issues associated with the current ADC system: Pyxis ES/Pyxis ES Anesthesia Experience working with USP 797/800 documentation system: Simplifi Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to lift and carry moderate amounts (15-44 pounds), have use of fingers, be able to walk for less than 2 hours and stand for less than 4. The incumbent must have near and far vision corrected, depth perception, be able to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Must be able to hear (hearing aid permitted) and be emotionally and mentally stable. Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. ["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 pharmacy technician serves as the subject matter expert in medication dispensing to all areas of the medical center. This is above the full performance level for Pharmacy technicians. Employees at this grade level serve as pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures and require minimal supervision. Functions will include but not be limited to dispensing of medications, compounding IV, chemotherapy, biologics, hazardous and non-hazardous medications according to the most recent guidelines, stocking and restocking of automated dispensing cabinets and other ward stock areas, maintaining quality control practices and assigned quality control inspections, training of fellow staff, and other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 6:30am-3:00pm, 7:00am-3:30pm, 8:00am-4:30pm, 8:30am-5:00pm, 9:30am-6:00pm, 12:30pm-9:00pm, 2:30pm-11:00pm, 7:00pm-7:00am (Various rotating shifts to include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays) Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52634-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized This is a bargaining unit position."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
