Pharmacy Technician at Leavenworth

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 941197

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans.  

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.  For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov

 

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION NOT TO EXCEED 6 MONTHS.  THE WORK SCHEDULE IS INTERMITTENT (NO SET WORK SCHEDULE).  THIS POSITION REQUIRES WORK ON IRREGULAR TOURS INCLUDING NIGHTS, WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.  THERE ARE NO BENEFITS WITH THIS POSITION.

Note:  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05.  The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-02 to GS-05.  The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.  The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are NOT authorized for this position.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass pre-employment examination
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required

DUTIES:Back to top

The position functions primarily in in-patient care areas and Pharmacy service within the health care organization.  Primary duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

• Read and interpret prescriptions, obtain proper medication in the proper strength and dosage form
• Determine proper amounts and counts, pours or measures the medications
• Affix proper labels and record required data on Pharmacys copy of prescription order
• Dispense medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations (after a final check by Pharmacist)
• Independently fills fist dose medications, missing doses and unit dose carts for inpatient areas without routine secondary review
• Document items dispensed in the unit dose computer package
• Prepare IV admixtures
• Maintain pre-determined level so automatic replenishment/ward stock medications for patient care areas
• Assist with inventory management
• Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as requesting refills, drug information sheets and relaying questions to the Pharmacist.

 

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION NOT TO EXCEED 6 MONTHS. THE WORK SCHEDULE IS INTERMITTENT (NO SET WORK SCHEDULE). THIS POSITION REQUIRES WORK ON IRREGULAR TOURS INCLUDING NIGHTS, WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. THERE ARE NO BENEFITS WITH THIS POSITION.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:   

• U.S. citizenship.  Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 
• English language proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (proof of graduation or equivalent required) or at least 3 months of experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills,abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship the full-time work week.   For example,a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.
  

Preferred Experience: Experience in a hospital pharmacy setting is preferred, but not required.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

• GS-2

 

Experience:  None beyond the basic requirement

 

• GS-3

 

Education or Experience:  Completion of 1 year of post-high school course work related to medicine (e.g. chemistry,biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field(licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.).   In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

 

Ability to maintain appropriate files

Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision

Ability to communicate with patients and other health professions.

 

• GS-4

 

Education or Experience:  Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.)   Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience.   In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

 

Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision

Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment

Ability to operate pharmacy information systems

Ability to maintain appropriate files

Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision

 

• GS-5

 

Education or Experience: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelors degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies(KSAs) described at the GS-4 level.   In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

 

Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment

Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique

Knowledge of basic inventory procedures

Knowledge of pharmacy information systems

References: VA Handbook 5005/23, Part II, Appendix G28, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD , dated March 2006, and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/pharmacy-technician-series-0661/

PLEASE NOTE:  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.)  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.  If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Physical Requirements: This position requires heavy lifting (45lbs 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 to 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).

Veterans Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.

Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.  For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Country: USA, State: Kansas, City: Leavenworth, Company: Department of Veterans Affairs - Agency Wide.