<p>The Columbia VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for the position of Controlled Substances Pharmacy Technician. Pharmacy Technicians at the GS-08 grade level are required to be nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously. The incumbent is expected to provide support to the controlled substance program by coordinating with the Controlled Substances pharmacists to ensure all policies and procedures are performed.</p> <p>The Pharmacy Controlled Substance Technician is certified, highly specialized technician, under the supervision of the Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor is responsible for the first line management of all controlled substances handled by the pharmacy for the Columbia VA HCS. Mandated accountability and control of scheduled drugs makes this a particularly sensitive position that is considered critical by all levels of management. This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of federal, VA, and facility regulations regarding controlled substances and pharmacy processes in general and involves performing complex procedures over a range of functions. Duties of this position include but are not limited to all services involving receipt, storage, fill, dispense, transfer, inventory, administration, waste, or destruction of controlled substances per Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbooks and Directives, as well as all Office of Inspector General (OIG) Directives and Health System Policy.</p> <p>Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional</p> <p>Duties include, but not limited to:</p> <p>Monitors the status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtains assistance from the Controlled Substance Program Manager or Supervisor on problems that may arise such as pending controlled substance prescriptions, which cannot be properly addressed. Inventories, prepares, delivers, and rotates controlled substance stock for all automated dispensing equipment locations. Ensures restocking is provided as unit dose. Ensures correct use and maintenance of tablet counting machines, labeling machines and all other equipment used for medication preparation and dispensing.</p> <p>Coordinates the mail out of controlled substance prescriptions to assure accountability. This includes maintaining documentation of all packages prepared for mail-out daily, coordinating pick-up with contracted delivery service, and reconciling list of packages daily. Provides accurate orders for all classes of controlled substances and orders from the Prime Vendor. Maximizes inventory to control costs while assuring 24/7 supply of needed controlled substances. Conducts required vault inventories and maintains required reports.</p> <p>Collaborates with the procurement section as needed on the ordering or posting of controlled substances. Reviews and maintains monthly controlled substance inspection reports for the assigned Pharmacy sites. Maintains accurate electronic inventory through decrementing prescriptions, entering received inventory, transferring to automated dispensing cabinets and satellite dispensing areas.</p> <p>Ensures two person authentications when the balance adjustment function is used to reconcile a discrepancy. Conducts primary investigations of all discrepancies discovered in the vault, on the wards, or dispensing areas. Advises the Controlled Substance Program Manager, Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor, and/or Chief Pharmacist on controlled substance matters related to procurement, inventory, inspection, dispensing and discrepancy irregularities. Plans, develops, and implements inventory processes and security awareness procedures to heighten controlled substance accountability. Follows policy and procedure in reporting unresolved discrepancies.</p> <p>Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. May be required to work weekends and holidays during periods of staffing shortages if needed. Tour of duty is subject to change based on agency's needs.</p> <p>Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.</p> <p>Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.</p> <p>Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).</p> <p>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)</p> <p>Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA</p> <p>Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)</p> <p>Telework: Not Available.</p> <p>Virtual: This is not a virtual position.</p> <p>Functional Statement #: 55825F</p> <p>Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.</p>