Pharmacy Technician - Sterile Compounding Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Pharmacy Technician with certification and strong experience in sterile compounding and parenteral medications.

The technician acts as the technical expert in patient care within Pharmacy Service and supports dispensing activities under pharmacist supervision. Applicants must meet VA qualifications, including national certification and relevant experience in sterile compounding; other duties include ensuring compliance with policies and safety

Qualifications

• Certification required: PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT.
• Experience in sterile compounding and parenteral medications.
• Familiarity with pharmacy policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care related to compounding and dispensing of parenteral medications.
• Work in the sterile compounding room as the technical expert in Pharmacy Service.
• Assist pharmacist; duties subject to qualification standards.

Skills

PTCB Certification

Patient care skills

Sterile compounding knowledge

Tools

Closed System Transfer Devices

VISTA pharmacy system

Job description

The Technician holds certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification board (PTCB). The incumbent is the technical expert in providing patient care related to compounding and dispensing of parenteral medications, controlled substances, and other compounded agents. They function in the sterile compounding room, with secondary responsibilities as a pharmacy technician in any area of Pharmacy Service. Completed work is checked by the pharmacist.

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: 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:
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT); OR
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

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

GS-8 Pharmacy Technician

Qualifying experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-7).

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

• PTCB as a CPhT; OR
• NHA as a ExCPT

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• 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.
• Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

Preferred Experience:

• At least five years of pharmacy technician experience.
• At least three years of experience compounding parenteral medications, to include potentially toxic medications or chemotherapy.
• At least three years of experience using closed system transfer devices.
• At least two years of experience with pharmacy package in VISTA.

Reference:

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

Physical Requirements:

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.