Summary
NOTE: THE 2-PAGE RESUME REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION - REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BELOW. Pharmacy technicians work autonomously - using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. Assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service.
Qualifications
NOTE: THE 2-PAGE RESUME REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION - REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BELOW. 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
- English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
- 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
- Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
- Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician - GS-06 Education or Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level
- In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
- Assignments: Pharmacy technicians at the full performance level may fill orders - dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs
- Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/patients - filling medications for the pharmacist to review - checking for expired medications - answering phones with appropriate disposition - preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered
- 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-6. Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate lifting and carrying (15-44lbs) - light lifting and carrying (under 15lbs) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - standing - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - and near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
- Environmental factors are working in dry atmospheric conditions - constant noise - working closely with others - and working alone.
Duties
- Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking - delivering - inventory - inspections - assembling ward orders - prescription assembly - controlled substances distribution - sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs) - unit-dose drug packaging - dispensing - distribution - and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices
- Functions Medication Distribution System Reads and interprets prescriptions from Veteran electronic health record (EHR) or in written format
- Accurately fills and prepares prescriptions
- Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured
- Receives - checks - rotates - and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies
- Utilizes automation dispensing equipment
- Records expiration dates
- Perform monthly inspections
- Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications
- Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
- Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians - interns - and students
- Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition
- Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality
- Participate in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacy
- Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service
- Completes all National - VISN - local - and Pharmacy mandatory trainings
- Complies with all VHA - Medical Center - and Pharmacy regulations - directives - policies - and procedures
- May be assigned to work in other areas of pharmacy service as deemed necessary
- Window Pick-Up Verifies the patient's identification - correct prescriptions - and receipt of all prescriptions
- Mail Packaging Utilizes and comprehends the mail shipping programs
- Calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verifies patients address
- Packages prescriptions appropriately
- Pharmacy Phone System Maintains appropriate phone etiquette and professionalism
- Controlled Substances These functions will be supported in the absence of the controlled substance technician
- Accurately interpret - fills - and readies prescriptions
- Appropriately prepares controlled substances items for automated secured cabinets throughout medical center
- Documents all controlled substance related transactions
- Assures that inventory counts are correct at the time of restocking
- Ensures that proper handoff
- Reports unresolvable discrepancies
- Unit Dose Medication Management Prepares unit dose medications
- Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability
- Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems
- Automatic Replenishment/Ward Stock Correctly inventories - assesses - and determines the need
- Follows established policies and procedures - schedules - inventory levels - and usage rate
- Accurately fills prescription items using Automatic Replenishment reports
- Performs and documents an inspection of assigned hospital areas for medication storage
- Assures that each area that is inspected meets established standards for appropriate drug storage conditions including drug security for inspection and accreditation
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized 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)
- 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: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
