Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-11861709-23-AK. The duties of this position are performed in the Hematology/Oncology Satellite Pharmacy area of Pharmacy Service, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS). The incumbent is a highly specialized technician, who, under the authority of the Chief, Pharmacy Service, is responsible for the hematology/oncology products handled by the Pharmacy. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Grade Determinations: PHARMACY TECHNICIAN, GS-0661-7 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *- Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. - Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. - Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff - Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. - Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. - Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. - Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. - Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Preferred Experience: Hazardous chemical compounding experience. Knowledge of and ability to follow USP 797 rules and regulations. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The position is above full performance level (GS-7). Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, specific visual requirement (ability to read prescriptions), hearing (aid permitted). (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The duties of the Pharmacy Technician (Hematology/Oncology) in the Pharmacy Service include but not limited to: - Prepares sterile solutions, intravenous additive solutions, or sets up prescriptions to be checked by a pharmacist. Performs bulk compounding. - Applies rigid aseptic techniques in preparing sterile solutions. Acquires instructions in aseptic technique by following specific guidance and instruction to handle sterile solutions, and use filtering apparatus, semi-automatic transferring devices, and containers for storing sterile products appropriately. Reconstitutes certain routine sterile medications that are to be added to intravenous solutions. Adds a predetermined amount of fluid to powder form of medication. Obtains reconstituted drugs and solutions, e.g., glucose or dextrose, and provides to pharmacist for mixing with intravenous additive. - Applies rigid aseptic techniques with hazardous substance precautions in preparing chemotherapy solutions. Acquires instruction in vertical flow hood techniques, hazardous substance compounding techniques and environmental spill handling. The employee must possess and apply knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of all common chemotherapeutic agents including solubility behavior in various solutions, dosage per volume requirements, stability of reconstituted drugs and compounded solutions, various modes of drug delivery, and drug incompatibilities. - Adheres to rigid sterile techniques to compound and package sterile solutions such as irrigating and saline solutions. Prepares complex sterile and additive solutions with close review by the pharmacist. Adheres to sterile procedures, care of equipment, use of correct labeling materials and techniques required during sterilization procedures. - Receives and reviews orders for intravenous solutions, checking with the pharmacist if discrepancies are noted. Calculates and converts to proper weights and measures the amount of solution and drugs to be used, taking into account concentration, overfill for slight losses during mixture, and number of doses. Mixing of solution is checked by pharmacist. Uses proper sterile techniques to ensure the solution is not contaminated and potentially dangerous to patient. Prioritizes drug orders according to established pharmacy procedures. - Sets up prescriptions for final check. Reads prescription, retrieves repackaged, labeled container, or bulk stock container and measures correct amounts into proper container. Pharmacist performs a final check of the work. Enters new and refill requests into computer. Fills prescriptions where kind, strength and dosage of drugs to be dispensed are easily determined. Attaches computer-generated labels and affixes auxiliary labels to medication container. Receives and fills ward and clinic drug supply orders for a wide variety of items. Computes requested amounts of drugs and supplies. - Sets up individual prescriptions that are frequently prescribed and already repackaged and labeled. - Reviews customer eligibility to determine kind, strength, and dosage of drug to be dispensed. Applies pharmacy policy limitations, i.e., 90-day prescriptions might be dispensed in 30-day increments of three refills, when policy prohibits dispensing 90-day quantities. - Selects the correct unit dose for inpatient medication drawers. - Performs clerical work in support of the care and treatment given to patients such as receiving patients or maintaining patient files or medical records in a ward, clinic, or other such unit of a medical facility, using manual and/or automated systems. Assembles patient records and files individual documents or information in medical records. Accurately codes information contained in records. - Assembles all treatment orders with corresponding pharmacy labels ensuring all necessary forms and documents are present, accurate and complete. Records all prepared pharmaceutical agents in logbook. Handles all investigational drug therapy forms including comprehensive protocols. Maintains all historical pharmacy records involving specific treatments. Consults supervisor if presented with new forms or information not previously encountered. Independently determines the methods necessary to assemble records in proper sequence. Analyzes the consistency of records assembled. Identifies inconsistencies or discrepancies among medical documentation and discusses with appropriate staff members. Identifies problems or potential problems. Facilitates process analysis to alleviate problems. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized 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.
