Summary

This announcement is for a Pharmacy Technician position - located at the Providence VA Medical Center in Providence RI. The position is Intermittent (similar to a per diem role).

Qualifications

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
• 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: GS-07: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06)
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 3 years current/recent experience in the outpatient/retail pharmacy setting
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Principle duties of this position require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g. - preparing prescriptions - use of a computer keyboard - etc.)
• May require lifting and carrying light loads - including boxes - equipment - medical supplies - stock boxes etc.
• stooping or kneeling (e.g. - to pick up items from the floor - remove and replace items on lower shelves - and to file documents in lower file drawers - etc.)
• sitting - walking - or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours)
• Ability to operate automation
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment - including respirators while on duty
• Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Pharmacy technicians prepare medications by counting - pouring - weighing - measuring - and mixing or compounding for distribution to outpatients for pickup and mailing
• The outpatient pharmacy technician works in collaboration with other pharmacy technicians and responds to requests of pharmacists and other pharmacy supervisory staff
• Duties include - but not limited to: Fills prescription orders accurately by selecting correct product based on label requirements and assures each item is filed and labeled according to all applicable standards
• Correctly prepares physician orders - selects appropriate product - mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner (if applicable) inspects the final product for accuracy - suitability and elegance - labels the product - and supplies the product for pharmacist verification Manufactures all products requiring compounding for outpatients
• Possess advanced technical knowledge of all aspects of drug characteristics and nomenclature
• Sets up - adjusts and operates complex automated dispensing devices and equipment that supports the treatment of patients
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
• Work Schedule: Intermittent hours (similar to per diem - hours will vary based on your availability and the needs of the service)
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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 Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F06757
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Notifications: Due to a critical staffing shortage - 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement
• This position is an LIUNA Bargaining Unit position
• This position is covered by a special rate
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees
• Schedules are posted one month in advance
• however - you may occasionally be asked to cover last-minute absences
• We anticipate an average commitment of approximately 32 hours per month - within our regular business hours (Monday-Friday - 7:00 am-5:30 pm - and Saturday - 8:00 am-4:30 pm)
• For the initial training period (expected to be completed within three months of hire) - we recommend increased availability to facilitate onboarding.