Summary Pharmacy Technician in the Inpatient Pharmacy at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, it's Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), satellite locations, and ambulatory care locations. Responsibilities Providing support for the hospital staff by reading and interpreting orders. obtaining the proper medication or material in the proper dose and strength. Maintaining and operating automated prepackaging storage and dispensing equipment. Working alongside the pharmacist to ensure the correct medication is compounded, packaged, and delivered to the correct patient, provider, or automated dispensing system. Ensuring all inventory automation equipment in the pharmacy is properly refilled and utilized to maintain inventory controls. Ensuring the operating room satellite is properly stocked for injectable, non-injectable and controlled substance medications. Assembling and documenting controlled substance requests. Maintain PTCB (CPhT) or NHA (ExCPT) certification. Following all guidelines of USP <797>, <795>, <800>, OIG, VA Handbook 5005, DEA regulations and all national pharmacy and facility policies and/or directives. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 2:00pm to 10:30pm, rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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). 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) GS-7 Grade Level Specialized Experience: you must possess at least one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower level (GS-6) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled? You must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-6 level which include: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice; (b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation; (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment; (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures; (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: Inpatient experience is preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion involving standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent twisting/turning, and bending/stooping. The incumbent must be able to perform lifting/carrying, pushing, or pulling different types of equipment such as cabinets, carts, or supplies weighing a minimum of 50lbs through various terrain. Frequent manipulation of IV preparation will require repeated dexterity exertion with pressure up to 20lbs. The incumbent will routinely prepare medications that require special handling and documentation including, but not limited to hazardous drugs. Therefore, they must be able to wear appropriate respiratory and other personal protective equipment as required. Education Additional Information 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.