Pharmacy Technician (Compound Sterile Products)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Maywood (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Compound Sterile Product Pharmacy Technician to prepare sterile IV products and chemotherapeutics under CSP program guidelines. The role emphasizes quality, safety, and adherence to federal standards.

Candidates with experience in sterile compounding and oncology, and those pursuing certification, are encouraged. The position may involve mentoring staff and contributing to process improvements within the VA pharmacy setting.

Qualifications

• No formal education requirement for some grade levels.
• Certification is required for higher levels (CPhT or ExCPT).
• English language proficiency for appointment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare sterile IV products and chemotherapeutic agents.
• Maintain compliance with USP 800 and safety procedures.
• Mentor and train lower-graded technicians and participate in improvements.

Skills

Sterile compounding

Clinical pharmacy

Mentoring

Education

Experience equivalent to GS-7

Tools

Pharmacy automation

Job description

The Compound Sterile Product (CPS) Pharmacy Technician is a highly specialized technician, who under the authority of the Compound Sterile Products (CSP) program manager or designee, will perform a variety of complex functions in the preparation of sterile IV products, chemotherapeutic agents, and non-hazardous products.

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.
• Education or Experience.(1) None required.(2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level.
• Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

• (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
• (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• 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).

Grandfathering Provision: 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: Must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service; working autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties; mentoring and training lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting; assisting advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participating in performance improvement initiatives; using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy; functioning as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy.

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.

Preferred Experience: Previous experience in sterile compounding medications, to include hazardous and non-hazardous medications, and oncology pharmacy sterile compounding.

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-08 . .

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.