Pharmacy Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs in Cleveland, OH seeks a CSP Pharmacy Technician to perform sterile compounding functions, ensuring timely and accurate patient care under the CSP program manager. Responsibilities include handling hazardous and non-hazardous sterile preparations, complying with USP 800 and regulatory requirements, and training staff as needed.

Applicants may be pending qualifications but must meet certification requirements (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT) and KSAs; full

Qualifications

• One year of experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent.
• National certification is required for higher grade levels (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT).
• English language proficiency demonstrated in speaking and writing as per VA policy.

Responsibilities

• Perform sterile compounding functions (hazardous and non-hazardous) for timely patient care.
• Comply with all regulatory requirements related to sterile compounding and safety.
• Assist CSP program manager and staff; train and orient new personnel as needed.

Skills

Sterile compounding knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Training & mentorship

Workflow coordination

Job description

The CSP Pharmacy Technician will perform sterile compounding functions to ensure timely and accurate patient care is provided. In addition, will comply with all regulatory requirements associated with sterile compounding. The incumbent is a highly specialized technician, who, under the authority of the Compound Sterile Products (CSP) program manager or designee, is responsible for the preparation of hazardous and non-hazardous sterile preparations handled by pharmacy. 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 - You must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Pharmacy Technician, GS-08. (1) Experience.

Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.

(2) Certification.

For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

(a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT.

(3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:

(a) Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section.

(b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.

(c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) 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. (5) 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.

Preferred Experience:

General Sterile Compounding Experience Preferred.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements

The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lb., and bending/stooping. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes incumbent to communicable diseases, biohazards, hazardous chemicals, and hazardous medications common in a health care environment. Such exposure will be mitigated in accordance with local policies and operating procedures as per USP 800 standards, OSHA guidance and local risk assessment practices. Standard safety precautions and PPE are required and specified per local policies. Some work is performed in a setting away from the pharmacy where the environment cannot be controlled.