Summary

The IV technician will meet all requirements of full performance pharmacy technicians and will assist the pharmacy supervisors to coordinate - develop - and oversee the efforts of the assigned technicians in all pharmacy activities. This position requires in depth knowledge of preparing sterile products and compounding. The technician will be familiar and knowledgeable with pharmacy policies and procedures for filling and dispensing medications.

Qualifications

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: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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 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-7: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) GS-6 level experience includes: Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice
• Knowledge of preparation - storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation
• Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment
• Knowledge of basic inventory procedures
• Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel
• Certification: For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT
• OR NHA as a ExCPT
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Compounding sterile products: trains pharmacy staff on established procedures to assure compliance with USP chapter 795 / 797 / 800 standards
• Completes preparation of intravenous admixtures including hazardous drugs and chemotherapy preparations
• Work with the USP program manager to ensure all policies and procedures involving inpatient pharmacy are compliant with USP 795 I 797 I 800 standards
• Perform the technical duties of inpatient pharmacy in all areas of cart fill - unit dose repackaging equipment - point of care cabinets inventory management - narcotic dispensing - and sterile compounding procedures
• Ability to operate - maintain - and troubleshoot problems with our automated equipment
• Understanding the importance of maximizing production and efficiency
• Management of ward stock medications
• Ensuring that ward stock and unit dose medications are prepared - delivered - and stored in compliance with department and facility policies - procedures - and regulations
• Replenishes and maintains emergency crash carts
• Reviews inventory and ward stock medications for expired medications
• Completes these reviews on time in accordance with department policy
• As an experienced pharmacy technician - works alongside other technicians coaching - mentoring - assisting and/or training them in the proper performance of their duties
• May cover outpatient areas as needed and will work closely with other pharmacy Technicians
• ADMINISTRATIVE/PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS Responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the centralized pharmacy in accordance with established policies
• Responsibility for assigned workload analysis and reports to pharmacy service management
• Assists pharmacy supervisors with preparing and maintaining the holiday and off tour rotation schedule
• Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of pharmacy dispensing equipment including unit dose repackaging machines - point of care cabinets - outpatient dispensing units - and the domiciliary kiosk
• The pharmacy technician will supervise the general operation of the equipment
• Coordinate and monitor cleaning schedules - software updates - maintenance schedules - and generate necessary reports
• The pharmacy technician will review assignments and ensure that all ward inspections are completed in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Assists with daily huddles - huddle boards and shift change hand off communication
• Maintains current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on policies - procedures - directives - etc
• Serves as a liaison between professional staff (pharmacist) and non­professional staff to improve communications and to resolve work related problems
• SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The pharmacy supervisors will assign work in general terms
• A pharmacy supervisor is available for professional guidance when required
• The IV technician informs supervisors of problems or unusual situations with recommendations for appropriate action
• Sequence and timing of work are left to the discretion of the technician according to general policy
• The technician's work is reviewed on an overall basis by the supervisors for conformity to Pharmacy Service policy and requirements
• CUSTOMER SERVICE Relationships with management - co-workers - patients - and the public consistently courteous - respectful - and cooperative in nature
• Employee will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals
• Employee will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the pharmacy for which he/she is responsible
• AGE - DEVELOPMENTAL AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS The primary age of patients treated and cared for are normally at the geriatric level - i.e. - 60 years of age or older - although there may be younger patients between the ages of 18- 60 years of age that require care
• The position requires the incumbent to possess or develop an understanding of the needs of these types of patients
• Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age - developmental requirements - and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Functional Requirements: heavy lifting {45Ibs 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 at 13\" to 16\"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• ability to distinguish shades of colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
• Will also work Holidays as assigned
• Position Title/Functional Statement #:IV Pharmacy Technician/PD000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required