Pharmacy Technician - Compounding and Drug Distribution

The Pharmacy Compounding and Drug Distribution Technician is responsible for the first line management of all controlled substances handled by the Pharmacy for the St. Cloud VA Health Care System. The incumbent is also responsible for the preparation of non-sterile and sterile products handled by Pharmacy. This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of federal, VA and facility regulations regarding controlled substances and compounding functions.

• 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).
• 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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• 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.

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).

• Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) and demonstrate the KSAs below.
  • GS-7 level experience requires the below
    • 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.
    • Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
    • Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
    • Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
    • Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.
• 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.

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8.

You will 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.