Pharmacy Technician; Inpatient

Summary

This position functions in the Inpatient care areas and the Pharmacy Service within the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System. Services include such areas as aseptic admixture preparation including cytotoxic agents - automatic and on-demand ward stock replenishment - maintenance and operation of automated prepackaging storage and dispensing equipment - assembly and documentation of controlled substance requests and properly packaging with documentation of single unit of use medications.

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:
  
  None required
• 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)
• 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
  
  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
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Inpatient Pharmacy Technician work experience in an acute care hospital setting - including sterile IV preparations (piggy back - large volume - TPN - chemotherapy - etc.)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (3 hours)
• Standing (4 hours)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).

• VA Careers - Pharmacy:  Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) has an immediate opening for an Inpatient Pharmacy Technician at the Palo Alto Division
• Technicians will work various shifts - including a rotation of weekends and holidays
• Shift assignments typically fall into one of three categories: day - evening and overnight
• This Pharmacy provides pharmaceutical care services to our 300-bed acute care hospital division (Intensive Care Units - OR/Recovery Room - Medicine - Surgery - Sub-Acute Medicine/Long Term Care - Hospice - Spinal Cord Injury - Polytrauma - Psychiatry - Emergency Department) with centralized operation for Unit Dose - Ward Stocking and Sterile Compounding medication preparation and dispensing
• We have a fully integrated computer system including online provider order entry - documentation of medication administration using barcode technology - and automation of the unit dose distribution system
• These technicians provide distributive pharmacy services to patients at the Palo Alto Acute Care Division
• Duties and Responsibilities include - but not limited to:
  Unit Dose…