Pharmacy Technician

This position for Pharmacy Technician functions primarily within the Outpatient Pharmacy under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians prepare prescriptions by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring and mixing, and packaging the medication as necessary. Pharmacy technicians maintain patient profiles, stock, and take inventory of medications.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
• Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience.
• Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above.
  • Loss of Credential: An employee who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists.
• 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, this part.

GRADE DETERMINATION:

GS-6.

Experience: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs

1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action.
2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment.
3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents.
4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products.
5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts.
6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders.

Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above.

Assignments: Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

REFERENCES: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G28

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This work requires light lifting (under 15lbs), light carrying (under 15lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking (1 hour), standing (1 hour), near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid may be permitted).

Responsibilities:

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide telephone and consult triage and patient follow-up.
• Answer questions from patients, nurses, providers, and other medical center staff and refers complex or therapeutic questions to a pharmacist.
• Provide patient education.
• Greet the patient or staff member with a helpful and positive attitude. Answer questions presented and/or seek assistance. Verify the correct identity of the patients or patient's representative before releasing any medications or supplies.
• Accurately process finished prescriptions for mail-out or pick-up. May dispense or deliver medications per the request of a pharmacist.
• Assist in necessary daily maintenance, loading, and documentation functions for automated dispensing equipment (e.g. ScriptPro). Able to problem solve robotic dispensing issues and trouble shoot basic software or hardware issues. Refill automated dispensing equipment according to policy and assure that the product identification matches the drug file entry precisely.
• Check-in Prime Vendor or direct orders and verify factors are accurate. Bring all deviations from an order to the attention of the Procurement Technician. Orders are unpacked, verified, and stocked. Make sure that the traceability reports are completed for all received items.
• Receive incoming prescriptions and refill requests. Accurately gather information needed to validate the prescription, identifying critical elements, and obtaining correct or missing information.
• Accurately perform computerized medication order-entry functions.
• Prepare prescriptions for final check by a pharmacist. Select the correct medications/paperwork and count the correct quantity when completed manually or using automated equipment when appropriate. Accurately and carefully apply labels to the prepared containers, record required data, and place the completed orders in trays or bags for the final check by a pharmacist.
• Remove outdated expired, or excess inventory form return or destruction. Check all items for hazardous waste and disposes of them in the appropriate bins. Complete monthly ward inspections and replenish supply.
• All calls and Call Center consults in the queue are answered in a timely manner, accurately, and in a professional manner. Questions that are clinical in nature or require a pharmacist's interpretation, such as tablet/capsule identification, are transferred to a pharmacist.
• Upon request accurately:
  • Mark CPRS renewal requests for provider's signature.
  • Print suspended prescriptions.
  • Process semi-automated Internet and telephone prescription requests from Veterans.
  • Process rejected prescriptions per pharmacy standard operating procedures.
• Keep technically current in pharmacy and medicine by self-instruction and routine attendance at conferences and seminars to ensure that the professional obligations of this service are met. Support and ensure that department and medical center policies, procedures, guidelines, government regulations, and Professional/Technical Standards concerning drug control, drug security and drug accountability are maintained at all times.
• Assist in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Also assist with collecting drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes when requested.
• Assist in training of peer technicians, residents, pharmacists, and students.
• Specialty Pharmacy Activities:
  • Pre-Packaging Activities: Skill in the operation and maintenance of equipment such as tablet and capsule counting/labeling machines and equipment. Utilize the unit-dose packaging equipment to prepare daily doses for dispensing. Re-package bulk drugs into specified quantities and various size containers. Pre-packaging will be done in accordance with applicable laws, requirements of official packaging and established standards of professional practice. Responsible for daily preventative maintenance and cleaning of the machine. Records all pertinent information on the log sheet for each medication canister refilled and is responsible for assuring a machine-readable bar code is printed on the label.
  • ACT Clinic Activities: Perform all technical functions associated with data gathering and tracking of laboratory values for the anticoagulation clinic.
  • Centralized Ward Stock Program: Function independently to provide automatic ward stock medications and supplies replenishment. Fill orders with suitable quantities of medications and supplies. Conduct at least monthly inspections where medications are stored, administered, or dispensed.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $50,022 - $65,024