For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting.
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. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Grade Determination (GS-7):Experience. One year experience at the next lower level (GS-6), and must fully meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) at the next lower level, which are: 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. NOTE: Your description of your work experience in your resume/CV must adequately demonstrate all required knowledge, skills, and abilities in order for you to be found qualified and referred for consideration. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The position requires frequent walking and standing; repeated bending; moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); the ability to read handwritten or typed characters with or without glasses; ability to hear conversation voice with or without aid; and emotional and mental stability.
This position functions primarily in the inpatient care areas and the Pharmacy Service within the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center (JMCAVAMC). The incumbent practices as a Pharmacy Technician in the Outpatient Pharmacy of JMCAVAMC. This area serves adult and elderly Veterans needing care within the JMCAVAMC system 24 hours a day 7 days a week, nights, weekends, and holidays. Providing support for the hospital staff by reading and interpreting orders, obtaining the proper medication or material in the proper dose and strength. Working alongside the Pharmacist to ensure the correct medication is compounded, packaged, and delivered to the correct patient, provider, or automated dispensing system. Uses independent judgement performing the duties assigned. Must maintain a PTCB certificate or an Except certificate. Follows all guidelines of USP 797, 795, 800, VA Handbook 5005, DEA regulations and all National Pharmacy and Facility Policies. FUNCTIONS: Pharmacy Technicians assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 medications orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other member 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. MEDICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: 1. Reads and interprets orders, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form, determines proper amount, and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records requires data on Pharmacy's copy of outpatient order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in hospital settings. 2. For unit-dose medications, prepares medications to be dispensed to inpatient areas (med-carts, ward stock), and/or fills unit-dose carts and has work reviewed by a pharmacist. 3. Inventories and prepares emergency carts with appropriate medications and supplies. 4. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes as required. 5. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment such as unit dose prepackaging machines, automatic dispensing machines, IV compounding machines and other pharmacy devices. Able to troubleshoot the equipment and the technology platforms/databases. 6. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdates in patient care areas and the areas' automated dispensing machines. 10. Ensures all look alike, sound alike, high alert, refrigerated medications are stored properly according to manufactures recommendations and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requirement. 11. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas, relays this information to the appropriate Pharmacy personal. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves and removing/replacing outdated items. 12. Assists with inventory management and ordering of medicines and supplies. 13. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, if required. GENERAL DUTIES:As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. However, primary assignments of work schedule and tours would involve outpatient pharmacy services. This includes patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, phone center, outpatient clinic, administration area, or other area as assigned by the supervisor. The position includes independent judgement and team assignments as they relate to pharmacy services and the care of the Veteran. The medical center offers a full range of medical care services.