Summary
The automation pharmacy technician is a certified technician with advanced skills in the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) - Ambulatory Care (AmCare) Pharmacy Section. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously - using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information - refer to Required Documents below.
Qualifications Basic Requirements:
- Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
- Education or Experience
- 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
- Required
- For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
- OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
- Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above - applicants must possess the following grade requirements
- GS-8 Pharmacy Technician: Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level
- (1)Experience
- Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below
- (2) Certification
- For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT
- OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT
- (3) Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
- In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment - if indicated: (a) Comprehensive knowledge of concepts - principles - methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding - controlled substances - automation - clinical pharmacy - contact center - etc.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section
- (b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures
- (c) Ability to evaluate - analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy
- (4) Assignments
- 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 have a higher level of responsibility for specialized areas of pharmacy and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty
- (a) Pharmacy Technician
- Pharmacy technicians in this assignment specialize in areas such as sterile compounding - oncology - controlled substances - medication history review - clinical specialist (anticoagulation - pain - infectious diseases) - clinical informatics - automation - immunizations and any other specialized area in the advancement of the profession
- The pharmacy technician will serve as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day technician duties of the specialized area
- The technician will be performing assignments such as compounding sterile products - filling controlled substance prescriptions while maintaining compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations - taking medication histories and counseling patients - managing automation - managing workflow and training and orienting staff in the specialized area
- References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards
- Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion - involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time - typing - walking distances within the medical center - lifting/ carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies - and bending/stooping/stretching.
Duties
- Duties include - but are not limited to: a
- Automation Technician Duties 1) Coordinates the technical aspects of pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are in alignment with automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized
- Incumbent is instrumental in recommending changes for the improvement of the workflow - work methods - and priorities involved within the drug distribution system
- 2) Analyzes usage reports to optimize medication utilization - reduce manual filling - and make adjustments as needed
- 3) Collaborates with inventory management team to assess usage patterns and ensures adequate inventory of high-demand medications in the automated system
- 4) Coordinates - facilitates - and assists in the installation - expansion - and upgrading of pharmacy automation within the Pharmacy Service
- 5) Maintains a working knowledge of hardware for the automated system
- b
- Medication Management 1) Prescription Processing Reads and interprets prescription orders from the veteran electronic health record system or in written format
- Properly assembles the prescriptions not processed through the automated dispensing machine with the correct drug - strength - quantity - vial size - and prescription labeling for window dispensing or mail delivery
- Uses Automatic Dispensing machines to batch and label medications
- Ensure ScriptTalk labels are properly adhered to the bottle
- 2) Controlled Substances (CS) if assigned- Prepares controlled substance prescription orders in accordance with the controlled substance policies and procedures
- Accurately maintains a rolling inventory in automation and performs a complete inventory per VA guidelines
- Receives and verifies inventory with VA Logistic Officer in accordance with the VA policies and procedures for receiving controlled substances
- Monitor prescription orders for dispensing accuracy and communicates potential problems to supervisor
- 3) Collates Prescription Orders Collates prescription orders sent to the printers for local processing by patient into processing containers
- Scans prescriptions being filled by the ScriptPro Robotic Automation (SP200) then forwards the container onto the next appropriate process: i.e. - narcotics room - manual fill area or checking conveyor
- Maintains the printers - ensuring they are operating properly and kept filled with the proper prescription paper
- 4) Window Pick-Up Verifies the patient's identification following the Medical Center's policies (i.e. - two patient identifiers)
- Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions by using VA software: i.e. - ScriptPro barcode scanning or Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA)
- Verifies that patient has received all prescriptions (i.e. - refrigerated - controlled substances - bulk medications - etc.)
- 5) Inventory Stock Control Understands process for ordering inventory to maintain proper stock daily
- This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas - rotating stock on shelves - and removing/replacing outdate items
- Assures that stock is properly rotated upon storing and that no more than one (1) multi-use container is opened at any given time
- Has a working knowledge in operating the inventory management system (i.e ScriptPro Inventory Management System) used for creating the daily order - validating the receipt of the daily order - maintaining physical inventory for the Ambulatory Care Pharmacy
- 6) Mail Packaging Prepares products for mailing - ensuring items are wrapped - logged properly - and all necessary forms completed for the items are sent via certified mail - UPS or USPS overnight
- Familiar with the procedures for processing of controlled substances for mail and the need for maintaining the security of controlled substance packages
- Understands the importance of recognizing and taking appropriate action on ScriptPro alerts (i.e. - Do Not Mail - P.O
- Box Only - etc.)
- c
- Administrative and Organizational Support 1) Participates in quality assurance - process improvement activities - and performance monitors
- 2) The technician will be proficient in covering all shifts and areas of coverage for the Ambulatory Care pharmacy section
- The technician will also be proficient in providing support for the pharmacists
- 3) Reports actual and/or potential medication errors or adverse events and participates in quality assurance - process improvement activities - and performance monitors to promote patient safety
- 4) Maintain competence by participating in staff development programs which enhance personal well-being - customer service skills - and technical expertise
- Work Schedule: Hours vary between 0700-1900 - with rotating Weekends/Holidays
- Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
