Pharmacy Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a CSP Pharmacy Technician to perform sterile compounding in the IV cleanroom and support hazardous/non-hazardous preparations under the CSP program.

Responsibilities include accurate compounding, inventory control, and adherence to USP 800 and VA policies, with work schedule rotations. Candidates must have pharmacy technician experience and national certification eligibility or active certification (PTCB/ExCPT).

Qualifications

• Applicants pending completion of education or certification/licensure may be referred but not hired until all requirements are met.
• U.S. Citizenship and English proficiency are required.
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-08 level with documented experience.
• KSAs include knowledge of sterile compounding concepts, procedures, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Set up sterile products in the IV cleanroom and ensure accurate documentation.
• Review IV administration records and assist with inspections and inquires.
• Maintain inventory, notify procurement of shortages, and flag expired items.
• Prepare unit doses and sterile parental meds; maintain cleanroom and satellites.
• Adhere to policies and safety precautions, including USP 800 and PPE.

Skills

Sterile compounding knowledge

Pharmacy workflow coordination

Training and orientation

Job description

Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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 - 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 subsequentl... [The remaining text truncated for brevity]
• 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.

Duties

• Most duties will be performed in the intravenous (IV) cleanroom suite - setting up sterile products for dispensing - making appropriate record entries - reviewing IV administration records - and assisting inspectors - review teams - and other staff during routine inquires and inspections
• The CSP pharmacy technician is expected to maintain a high degree of accuracy - productivity - and performance while being extremely sensitive to patient care
• The CSP pharmacy technician is knowledgeable with VA policy and regulatory requirements for handling and checking in shipments of drugs and supplies - as well as verifying accuracy of shipments - rotating stock and assures the proper storage of all items
• The CSP pharmacy technician monitors physical inventory of stocked items - notifying procurement of quantities on hand and advises as to ordering trends - shortages - outdated medications etc
• The CSP pharmacy technician must also be fully competent in all inpatient technician duties including processing - preparing - and filling of unit dose - sterile parental medications and solutions - maintenance of IV cleanroom and pharmacy satellites - operation of automated medication dispensing systems and general workflow of the pharmacy
• Additional functions or scopes of practices are but not limited too: Using aseptic technique - compounds both complicated and uncomplicated parenteral admixtures in the form of large volume - small volume - infusion syringe or another modality as required
• Correctly interprets orders - selects - and measures appropriate ingredients - mixes ingredients in an aseptic and effective manner - inspects the final product for accuracy - suitability - and elegance - labels the product - maintains records of the compounding process - and supplies the product for delivery
• Understands specific handling considerations for storage - distribution - and disposal of medications
• Technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in compounding sterile products including but not limited to admixing pumps - needles - syringes - and various compounding supplies - etc
• Ensures that the IV cleanrooms are cleaned daily - required tasks are completed - and appropriate documentation logs are completed
• Performing accurate product selection - dosage calculations and compounding of agents utilizing package literature - written procedural guidelines and application of specialized knowledge
• Upon completion of the order - contacts the assigned pharmacist for a final check and then delivers prepared products to the wards - clinics - or other designated areas
• Must maintain training requirements - national pharmacy technician certification and meet annual competencies required for the position
• Work Schedule: Rotation of 6am to 2:30pm - 7am to 3:30pm - or 2:30pm to 11pm - Weekends and Holidays
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 95335-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.