Pharmacy Technician

VA Careers - Pharmacy: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

FUNCTIONS or SCOPE of ASSIGNED DUTIES:

Performs essential role in preparation compounding dispensing and distribution of sterile and nonsterile hazardous medication and controlled substances within designated areas.

• Receives reviews and prepares physician order for cytotoxic agents and pre-medication and investigational drug agents.
• Performs accurate product identification labeling dosage calculation and compounding of agents by utilizing package literature written procedural guidelines and application of specialized knowledge.
• Successfully complete assignments and maintain annual competencies to compound hazardous and non-hazardous IV sterile preparations according to USP <795><797> and <800> standards.
• Follows proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding hazardous and non-hazardous medications.
• Reviews anticipated inventory needs and notifies procurement technician in a timely manner of products required.
• Assists in maintaining all required records related to sterile compounding.
• Receives hazardous IV chemotherapy inventory stock according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines placing in proper storage areas rotating stock on shelves and removing/replacing outdated items.
• Maintains Chemo/IV room medication inventory compounding supplies and cleaning product to ensure availability and minimize waste.
• Conducts daily weekly and monthly IV room cleaning to include check for soon to expire medications.
• Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume small volume infusion syringe or other as required.
• Prepares sterile ophthalmic preparations and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals such as total parenteral alimentations and cardioplegia solutions.
• Assists in the central IV sterile suite as needed.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of USP 795/797/800 chapters and hazardous drug handling to assist in management compliance staff education activities training and room certifications.
• Participates in glove fingertip and media fill testing maintain competences 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.
• Ensures full compliance with all regulatory requirements (VHA Joint Commission USP <795><797><800> EPA OSHA NIOSH and FDA).
• Provides training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained.
• Evaluates analyzes and coordinates workflow independently in the assigned area.

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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.
Certification: 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.

A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

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).

GS-08 Pharmacy Technician Grade Determinations:

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSA):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.

• Experience preparing sterile IV products in compliance with USP <797> cleanroom standards.
• Prior hands-on experience compounding hazardous drugs including chemotherapy.
• Experience working in a controlled-substance vault or performing day-to-day controlled substance accountability.
• Familiarity with DEA handling requirements and inventory procedures.
• Strong communication skills and experience working alongside pharmacists and other technicians in high-volume high-risk preparation areas.
• Ability to multitask and maintain accuracy under time-sensitive conditions (e.g. STAT IVs infusion clinic deadlines).