The clinical Pharmacy Technician is a certified pharmacy technician with the ability to support the clinical programs at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Healthcare System. 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 sterile products prepared by the pharmacy for home infusion.
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. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Education or Experience. None required. 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: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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). 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). Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Pharmacy Technician, GS-8 Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) 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: PTCB as a CPhT. OR 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: 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. Preferred Experience: Pharmaceutical Sterile Compounding experience. 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: Moderate or extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling. This occasionally involves lifting moderately heavy items (30 pounds). The employee must possess average agility and dexterity.
Sterile Compounding Tasks: Knowledgeable in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 797/800/795, Pharmacy Law, VHA Directives, and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations as they relate to practice within the VA Healthcare System and its organizational elements. 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 manufacturing process, and supplies the product for delivery. Understands specific handling considerations for storage, distribution, and disposal of medications. Consistently displays competence with good aseptic technique manufacturing practices through demonstration and/or actual work performance. 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. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment, including but not limited to Omnicell™/Pyxis™, laminar flow hoods, total parental nutrition (TPN) compounder, repeater pumps, etc.). Ensures that the IV cleanrooms are cleaned daily, and appropriate logs are completed for daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning. Uses knowledge, skills, and abilities to resolve questionable orders or situations to ensure quality of care. Performing accurate product selection, dosage calculations, and compounding of agents utilizing package literature, written procedural guidelines, and application of specialized knowledge. Generating proper product identification, labeling, and assigning accurate stability and handling information. Labeling also includes appropriate auxiliary information to ensure safety and efficacy for the patient and other handlers of the product. 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. Stocking and maintaining the Pharmacy Service preparation area(s), reviewing anticipated inventory needs, and notifying the procurement technician promptly of products required. Working knowledge of position-specific equipment, including vertical and horizontal laminar flow hoods and all disposable supplies needed to compound sterile products. Participates in glove fingertip and media fill testing, maintains competencies by passing didactic practical skill assessment initially and annually thereafter. Assists in airborne particulate and microbial testing and surface testing to ensure cleaning schedules are met. Responsibility for keeping abreast of changes in the Pharmacy Service (i.e., interdepartmental memoranda, relevant station memoranda, and policies and procedures and to maintain a general knowledge of VA, DEA, USP, and Joint Commission (JC) regulations. Performs daily refrigerator and or freezer temperature checks and/or monthly inspections for outdates according to local policy and standard operating procedures. Participates and assists in patient care activities during emergencies (i.e., major disasters). Ensures that all facility mandatory training (e.g., fire and safety, prevention of sexual harassment, customer service, prevention of violence in the workplace, etc.) is accomplished within established timetables and properly documented in service training files. Clinical Support Tasks: Contacts other pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities to complete an accurate medication list. Obtains relevant patient information from patient interviews, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Assesses patient compliance with prescribed therapy through patient/caregiver interview and review of refill dates. Compares compiled medication list with the active medication profile in the computerized medical record of the patient. Ensure the patient has necessary orders and supplies for home administration of sterile infusions. Reviews home infusion schedule daily for additions and changes. Assists with scheduling future lab orders and follow-up appointments. Telephone support involves rescheduling patients who have missed appointments, phone interviews of patients to assess needs and concerns, and triaging incoming calls from patients, their family members, or other health providers. Provides education to the patient and/or family members on proper technique for sterile administration. Eastern Oklahoma - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV_-GjjarRE VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm or 8:00am-4:30pm Functional Statement #: 623-60850-0