The principal duties and responsibilities are those involved in controlled substance drug preparation and collection, compilation, reconciliation, research, and/or tracking of data and controlled substances programs information. A GS- 8 controlled substance pharmacy technician performs technical work in support of the pharmacy-controlled substances programs under the direction of a registered 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. 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). 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 (GS-07 and above): 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). OR (2) National Health career 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). 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-08 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below. 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. 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/159, Part II, Appendix G28; Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards dated November 07, 2023. 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/sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 Ibs, and bending/stooping. The work may entail repetitive wrist movement while using various size syringes, vial cap removal, and typing.
Major duties include but not limited to: Controlled substance: Prepares and fills all controlled substance patient orders and most outpatient orders for mail out controlled substances. Prepares controlled substances stock for all automated dispensing equipment sites to assure appropriate stocking and assists other personnel with automated dispensing equipment issues. Serves as accountable officer to receive and document incoming orders of controlled substances, including completion of receipt information on Drug Enforcement Administration Form, DEA-222 Conducts all regularly scheduled inventories of vault stock and works with controlled substance inspection officials. Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to supervisor. Provides controlled substance training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, students etc. Utilizes the VISTA Controlled Substance package exclusively to maintain an accurate inventory of drugs in vault. Maintains a current knowledge of national, state, and local laws, regulations, directives, policies and procedures pertaining to controlled substances. Data Collection & Tracking Support: Performs work involving the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of a pharmacy's- controlled substances programs operation. Performs a basic analysis of the data and generates a variety of reports. Enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system. Maintains automated system of program-specific data concerning controlled substances. Performs clerical or technical supply support work necessary to ensure the effective operation of ongoing controlled substances activities. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Rotating shifts between 7:00am - 3:330pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm; extended hours and overlapping shift assignment, weekends and Federal holidays are to be expected as needed to serve Urgent Care. Telework: Ad Hoc at the Supervisor's discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized