The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To ensure compounded sterile preparations for non-hazardous, antineoplastic, and hazardous drugs have been appropriately prepared using aseptic technique, and verified with regulatory standards, VHA Regulations, Med Center Policies. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Inpatient Pharmacy Section under the Office of the Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations. Pharmacy Service, VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, Texas. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. 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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-08 In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07).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 Health career 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: Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy Preferred Experience: 2 years of hospital pharmacy experience within last 5 years 2 years of chemotherapy compounding experience within last 5 years 1 year of VA inpatient hospital experience within last 2 years IV/chemo certification Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting: (15-44 pounds); Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight Pulling (less than 30 minutes); Pushing (less than 30 minutes); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted). ["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 Duties Include but are not limited to the following: Hazardous Medication Management Performs essential role in preparation, compounding, dispensing, and distribution of hazardous medications within designated sterile compounding areas using appropriate aseptic techniques according to policy and procedures. Interprets orders appropriately and performs accurate product selection, dosage calculations and compounding of agents in an aseptic and effective manner, utilizing package literature, written procedural guidelines and application of specialized knowledge in chemotherapy. Assists with the deactivation, decontamination, cleaning, and disinfection of hazardous agents while wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment. Sterile Compounding Knowledgeable in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards, Pharmacy Law, VHA Directives, and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations as they relate to practice within the VA Healthcare System and its organizational elements. Successfully complete assignments and maintain annual competencies to compound IV sterile preparations according to USP standards. Uses aseptic technique to compound parenteral admixtures in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or another modality as required. Pharmaceutical Care Accurately interprets, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for pharmacist verification of outpatient prescription orders, inpatient orders, and clinic orders as required per policy. Dispense medications to patients and/or other healthcare professionals post final verification by a pharmacist as required per policy. Respond to questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel about drug distribution. Medication Order Fulfillment Prepares medication orders properly with the correct drug, strength, dosage form, quantity, auxiliary labels. Assures that the correct medication is filled by using appropriate and established safety measures and checks. Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability (to include appropriate labeling and documentation) before submitting for final check by a pharmacist. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:00AM to 4:30PM (8- hour work schedule) Weekend and Holiday coverage may be needed. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 50751F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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