The Compound Sterile Product (CPS) Oncology Pharmacy Technician is a highly specialized technician, who will perform a variety of complex functions in the preparation of chemotherapeutic agents. Working under the supervision of the Inpatient Pharmacy Technician Supervisor and Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor. This position functions primarily within the inpatient care areas and Pharmacy Service within the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center. 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. § 7403(f). Education or Experience. Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Candidates must be certified by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Certification is required at grades GS-6 and above. Grade Determinations: GS-08 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level GS-07, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assigned specific KSAs designated by an asterisk(*): Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. 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.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section. 2. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. 3. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this position is GS-06. This vacancy is above the full performance level at GS-08. ["Performs essential role in preparation, compounding, dispensing, and distribution of sterile and nonsterile hazardous medication within designated sterile compounding areas. Receives, reviews, and prepares physician order for cytotoxic agents and premedication. 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 rood 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 uncomplicates 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. Maintains 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 competencies passing didactic practical skill assessment initially and annually thereafter. Assists in airborne particulate, 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). Assists in maintains a training/education manual for the focus are assigned. Provides training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow independently in the assigned area. Performs all the duties of lower grade technicians, if required. Other Duties After prescription/order (s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Assists with inventory management and ordering of medications. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Conducts periodic ward inspection of patient care areas. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Monitors refrigerator temperature daily in pharmacy assigned area if needed. The technician will work with, support, and substitute, as needed, for other inpatient technicians, as well as be asked to staff during staffing shortages. Assigned work areas are not restricted to the inpatient pharmacy service work areas required by patient care needs to maintain consistency of services as authorized by the Chief, Pharmacy, or designee. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday with rotating weekends and holidays. 3:30 pm - 12:00 am Monday through Friday with rotating weekends and holidays. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54911F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
