The Research Investigational Pharmacy Technician provides exceptional care to veterans enrolled in clinical drug trials at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. The responsibilities of this Pharmacy Technician include, but are not limited to, managing inventory of investigational agents; assists with providing technical direction with study protocols; maintains protocol records; and performs investigational agent distribution, preparation, and dispensing activities
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 - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) 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 (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: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Grandfather Provision. A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-09 (1) Experience. One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level. (2) 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. 13 (3)Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: (a) Expert knowledge serving as a key resource advising others in their particular specialty area or section of the pharmacy (such as procurement, sterile compounding (USP compounding standards), controlled substances DEA, automation, clinical pharmacy, lead tech, contact center, etc.). (b) Skill in analyzing data for self-driven (independent) performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports. (c) Skill in solving problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area. (d) Ability to maintain special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections (e.g., The Joint Commission, Inspector General, American Society of Health System Pharmacists®, controlled substance inspections). (e) Ability to develop training programs and material for orientation, competency development and educational needs for regulatory requirements within the specialized pharmacy program area. Preferred Experience: Preferred previous specialty experience within VA 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-09. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of Research Investigational Pharmacy Technician include, but are limited to: Research Investigational Provides technical assistance following clinical drug trial protocols, manages records, creates, and maintains study binders according to regulatory requirements. Maintains dispensing records to ensure accuracy for tracking and accountability of all research medications. Interprets research pharmacy orders to assemble materials; prepare, package, label, and complete required documentation; include required worksheets; and arranges the finished prescriptions in an organized manner for the Pharmacist to verify. Assists in processing of investigational research medication requests, filling orders, which includes randomized blinding, preparation of sterile products and completes the prescription process by verification of research participant prior to dispensing to patient or treatment area. Ensures the integrity and compliance of the investigational medication inventory, receiving shipments, reconciling invoices, monitoring expiring stock, and disposing of returned or unused investigational agents in accordance with established guidelines and procedures. Quarantines expired or damaged investigational items from stock. Facilitates communication with sponsor and completes appropriate documentation. Maintains responsibility for complex technical support functions requiring detailed regulatory oversight.. Maintains training and knowledge of research protocols and specific requirements for each medication study, so all investigational medication orders are correctly processed and documented. Monitors investigational drug inventory and performs audits. Coordinates with the procurement team for the purchase and receipt of all investigational agents and materials needed to support research pharmacy operations. Develops training programs and materials for orientation, competency development and educational needs for regulatory requirements for research protocols being handled by Pharmacy Service. Ensures proper documentation of training and assists with staff orientation to each research trial. Creates checklists and training documents for pharmacy staff to follow when filling prescriptions to prevent errors. Displays the ability to maintain special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections. Performs audits to ensure the accuracy and compliance of the research process with research pharmacy protocols, directives, accrediting agencies, and regulations. Displays skill in independently analyzing performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports. Conducts regular quality assurance reviews to maintain research pharmacy readiness for external monitoring and national inspections. Supports opportunities to ensure safety and integrity in the research process. Monitors temperatures of investigational drug storage areas and maintains appropriate certification for equipment. Prepares documents for all services and medications that are provided by research pharmacy, prepares accurate and complete invoices and billing. Coordinates with Research Administration to ensure accurate reimbursement to pharmacy fund control point for compliance with directives. Communicates with clinical staff on required documents for trial start-up, monitoring, and pharmacy close-out activities. bb. Assists with updates on policies and procedures for the research program. Operates and maintains all equipment used to package, dispense, and or prepare investigational agents. Work Schedule: Various schedules that may include off-tours, weekends and holidays will be discussed during the interview process and are subject to change based on Agency needs. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Available Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Available Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 598-01270-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized