Pharmacy Technicians are a vital component of medication distribution in the VA, and the need for fully functional and reliable personnel is critical to our mission. Certified technicians with advanced medical and technical knowledge that function above the journeyman level are highly integral to the Pharmacy Service. Technicians at this level have a major impact on operational aspects for providing timely, efficient, and accurate prescription filling/dispensing with minimal need of supervision.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: None required. For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Certification (GS-7 and above): For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Physical Requirements. See physical requirements listed below. English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for the GS-7 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) AND demonstrate all the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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 medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year of inpatient pharmacy experience Minimum 1 year of USP 797 and or USP 800 sterile compounding experience Minimum of 6 months of outpatient pharmacy dispensing experience Minimum 1 year of pharmacy automation experience to include automation dispensing cabinets, automated tablet packager and outpatient dispensing automation (i.e., Parata, ScriptPro, Omnicell) Minimum 1 year-controlled substance management technician experience. 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-7. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly standing, walking, bending and climbing; however, some sitting, which involves typing, is also required. Technicians must be able to lift and move cases of IV fluids weighing approximately 30 lbs. Technicians work mainly in area assigned, however, may be required to walk to storage area or to various hospital units and clinics.
Duties may include but are not limited to: Prescription Processing: Demonstrate ability to accurately navigate and utilize VistA, CPRS, and any other patient databases necessary to perform the job. Establish patient eligibility status. Establish provider prescriber authority and appropriately enter new providers into the system. Knowledge of medical terminology and common abbreviates to accurately interpret/transcribe prescriptions. Interpret prescriptions and other orders to determine proper disposition in accordance with established procedures. Ability to perform a full administrative and technical review of the patient's medication and computer profile, being sure that the most current prescriptions are being processed, all older prescriptions for the same mediation(s), checking for remaining authorized refills, checking for frequency of refills. Enter correct medication, strength, dosage form, and quantity into patient's profile. Filling: Possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, basic pharmaceutical calculations, applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers' orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose, is prepared and/or distributed. Possess working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems. Participate in the preparation of a prescription order by verifying the correct patient, appropriateness of the label, selecting the proper medication, selecting the correct strength, counting/pouring the intended quantity, packing the medication appropriately, and completing all necessary filling documentation. Ability to perform extemporaneous compounding of approved pharmaceuticals according to standard operating procedures. Ability to processes Out of Stock medications. Communicate medication errors, adverse advents, allergies, non-formulary, restricted status and any other medication order related problems for clarification to the pharmacist and/or supervisor. Ward-Stock/Inventory Management: Fills on-demand clinic request for hospital ward or clinic stock. Inventory and restock hospital and inpatient pharmacy code blue crash carts/kits and other specialty emergency kits. Restock and maintain drug items stored in automated dispensing cabinets (ADC) on the hospital units per ADC restocking report. Ensure par levels are maintained and drugs that are set to expire are pulled in advance of expiration date. Ability to operate and maintain automated prepacking device to prepack unit dosage forms to restock ADCs. Assure all medications and supplies are stored appropriately with proper attention to rotation of stock and complying with all laws and station policies. Remove expired medications from stock and follows facility policy and procedures for disposal of medications. Performs ward inspections as assigned: removes/replaces outdated items and excessive quantities of medications and accurately documents findings using appropriate forms in accordance with established policy and procedures. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm; rotating weekends/holidays; with possibility of evenings (3:30pm - 12:00am) or nights (12:00am -8:00am) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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. 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. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54617-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized