Massachusetts Veterans Jobs

Summary This Pharmacy Technician vacancy is for the Pharmacy Service at VA Boston Healthcare System with a duty station of the West Roxbury, MA Campus. Coverage and travel to other VA Boston Campuses will be required as needed for patient care. Responsibilities The Pharmacy Technician will perform routine pharmacy functions under the supervision of a pharmacist. All pharmacy distributive functions are performed in according to Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Boston Healthcare System and Pharmacy Service policies and procedures to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services in a timely fashion to meet the needs of our patients and medical center staff. Duties include but not limited to: Reviews medications and supplies returned from units and clinics for restock or destruction in a timely manner. Prepares and dispenses all controlled substance orders using VISTA and follows VA policies and DEA rules and regulations. Prioritizes daily tasks based on importance, urgency (e.g., stroke protocol), and pharmacist requests in a timely manner to assure quality patient care. Prepares inpatient prescriptions for a variety of sources (e.g., units, clinic, ER, discharge) for dispensing. Answer the telephones and answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identify basic therapeutic problems and alert the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Perform any duties and special projects deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service, Pharmacy Supervisors, or the pharmacist-in-charge for the proper operation of the Pharmacy Service. Operates, maintains, and cleans complicated pharmacy equipment. Prepares hazardous and non-hazardous compounds. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time varied days and tours with weekend and holiday rotation Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 523-F02989 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized NOTIFICATIONS: This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special salary rate. Selectee may be required to work at any VA Boston Healthcare System campus, as needed. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants need to be fully qualified by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Education or Experience. (1) None required (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to quality, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 400% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as s percentage of the experience required for grade level to the education as a percentage of education required for the grade level. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) is required above the full performance level (GS-7 and above). English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. Grade Determinations: Education and Experience at the GS-3: One year of post-secondary education OR Six months of general experience OR Student Technician Education and Experience at the GS-4: Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy. OR Completion of one of the following: Six months of experience that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. Or Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. OR One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to follow policies and procedures. Ability to maintain appropriate files. Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals. Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions. Ability to operate office software/equipment to include computers, software applications and printers. Education and Experience at the GS-5: Successful completion of four years of post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy or a bachelor's degree. OR An associate degree in pharmacy technician or technology OR One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Additionally, applicants must be able to demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations. Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in functional areas. Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical and proprietary names of drug). Ability to fill prescriptions. Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight. Education and Experience at the GS-6 or full performance level (FPL): One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Additionally, the applicant must be able to demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. Preferred Experience: Inpatient or acute care pharmacy experience is preferred. 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-6. Physical Requirements: Principal duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing prescriptions, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), including boxes, equipment, medical supplies, stock boxes etc.; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Ability to operate automation. Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.