Pharmacy Technician

SummaryThis position is for a certified Pharmacy Technician - which is nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously - using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission - vision - and goals of the Pharmacy.QualificationsBasic Requirements:United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United StatesNon-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation or Experience:(1) None required.(2) 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 qualifyingThe 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 levelForeign EducationTo 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 Certification: 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) OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) Grandfathering ProvisionMay qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Grade DeterminationsIn addition to the basic requirements for appointment - VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidatesPharmacy Technician - GS-07 ExperienceCandidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelKnowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles - practices - concepts and theories providing for sound independent workKnowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalentAbility to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team - Veterans and external customersAbility to train developmental pharmacy technicians and studentsAbility to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations - policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distributionAbility to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databasesReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Preferred Experience: Three years of pharmacy experience - preferable in an inpatient hospital settingThe full performance level of this vacancy is 7 Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the positionMay require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushingMay be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employmentWork Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautionsthe area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilatedHowever - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.DutiesTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Pharmacy Technicians are 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 practicesPharmacy Technician duties include but are not limited to: Accurately interpret - fills - and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verificationMaintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris to create optimal work areasAssures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines - including the storage of high-risk - look a-like sound a-like - hazardous - controlled substances - corrosive chemical - flammable liquids - and refrigerated itemsReceives - checks - rotates - and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been receivedUtilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA proceduresReports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receiptPerforms monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removedCompletes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirementsCompounds 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 for final pharmacist verificationAnswers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distributionIdentifies basic therapeutic problems - such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical interventionDemonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and qualityParticipate in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacyAssists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service as assignedAssists higher level technicians as neededCompletes all National - VISN - local - and Pharmacy mandatory trainings in a timely mannerComplies with all VHA - Medical Center - and Pharmacy regulations - directives - policies - and proceduresAs deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor - assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy servicesProvides pharmacy phone support with other departments and patientsWill maintain the medication storage areas for compliance in drug outdates for the correct storage of medication as per the Joint Commission requirementsWork Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 8:30 am - 5:00 pmMonday - Friday Subject to change based on needs of the facilityRecruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): not available Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): not available 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 experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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 positionFunctional Statement #: 01164F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not available