Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Lead Pharmacy Technician - Inpatient IV in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Summary The Lead IV Inpatient Pharmacy Technician is a subject matter expert in aseptic technique, compounding sterile preparations, and workflow within ISO classified spaces. The incumbent applies pharmacy practice, USP standards, VA regulations, and policies to prepare Compounded Sterile Preparations with a high degree of accurate productivity. The incumbent is responsible for IV training and competency evaluations and has thorough operational knowledge of equipment and software used for compounding. Responsibilities Major Duties: Maintains knowledge in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 800/797, pharmacy law, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations, VHA Directives, facility and departmental policies and procedures as they relate to practice within the VA Healthcare System and its organizational elements. Acts as a technician subject matter expert to staff compounding sterile products. Provides training and competency validation for technician and pharmacist work related to sterile compounding tasks including glove fingertip and media fill testing. Provides complete documentation of evaluations in a timely manner. Prepares and sends glove fingertip and media fill samples to outside vendor. Performs environmental sampling of ISO classified spaces as assigned. Records results for all types of sampling and testing for CSP program management team to review when requested. Collaborates with other IV lead technician team members to develop and adjust training plans for staff to provide consistent training information but individualized approaches and timelines. Document training progress and provides warm handoffs when multiple leads are involved in training. Maintains advance technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in the preparation of non-hazardous and hazardous admixtures. Serves as a technician team subject matter expert of specialized techniques and procedures required for safe handling of hazardous medications Provides support to pharmacy staff and other personnel regarding medication distribution and technology systems. Support includes monitoring, troubleshooting, performing quality assurance checks, and being a superuser resource for the inpatient pharmacy team. Assist the Compounded Sterile Preparation (CSP) pharmacy management teams in developing and updating procedures, job aids, training materials, and competencies for technician work related to sterile compounding tasks. Each IV leads acts as a subject matter expert for a subset of these areas. Premium Pay: Shift Differential for employees who perform work during regularly scheduled hours between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. shall receive 10 percent of basic pay for those hours. Premium pay equal to 25 percent of the employee's basic hourly rate of pay is given for hours worked between midnight Friday or midnight Sunday Work Schedule: Full Time - There are three Lead Pharmacy Technician - IV Inpatient positions available. One position will focus on HD responsibilities while the other two will have both HD and non-HD responsibilities. The two positions with both HD and non-HD responsibilities will work mostly day shift coverage but does include evenings and occasional night shift coverage. Includes weekends and Holidays. The position with a focus on HD responsibilities will work day shift with occasional evening coverage. Includes weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Certification: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ยง 7403(f) 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: Lead Pharmacy Technician: Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Examples of GS 7 grade level experience include: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Resolving pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Training developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Dispensing medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Troubleshooting automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases AND KSA Requirement: In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-08 level, you must possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 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.) 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. 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: You may be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.