What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pharmacy Technician position at Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center?
This position provides support to all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings. This includes patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, outpatient clinic, administration area, and 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.
(1) Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.(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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The full performance level of this position is GS-06. This vacancy is above the full performance level at GS-07.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf
Duties include but not limited to:
Medication Distribution System
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentives (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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.
VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Functional Statement #: 60973F
Qualifications:
Pharmacy Technician, GS-07(1) Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.(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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- 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
The full performance level of this position is GS-06. This vacancy is above the full performance level at GS-07.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
Responsibilities:
Total Rewards: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdfPharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf
Duties include but not limited to:
Medication Distribution System
- 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.
- Reads and interprets prescriptions from all the veteran electronic health record systems(EHRS) or in written format.
- Reviews prescription orders for technical accuracy.
- Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed with regard to drug, strength, quantity, or appropriate supply item.
- Dispenses medications following all regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution.
- Uses Automatic Dispensing machines (ADM) such as ScriptPro to batch and label medications. Ensure ScriptTalk labels are batched if needed. Understands when to use other prescription labels with computer outages.
- Maintains highly sophisticated pharmacy equipment. This includes cleaning procedures and maintenance of ADM's and other counting machines. Troubleshoots equipment and databases when needed.
- Assists with automated or manual inventory processes that include but are not limited to inventory counts, medication ordering, stocking, checking for outdates, pulling outdates, pulling recalled medications, inspections or any other activity related to the supply of VA medications.
- Accurately interprets EHRS patient medication profiles. Is able to confirm prescription information in the Pharmacy computer packages. Able to execute refills or other technician duties within the pharmacy software.
- Accurately or updates patient information in the many pharmacy software packages such as ADM's and EHRS.
- Prioritizes workload to complete assignments on time.
- Maintains a safe orderly and clean working environment.
- 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.
- Maintains adaptability and flexibility for various emerging roles and responsibilities in the medication distribution system including new equipment, assignments, and changes in pharmacy workflow.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentives (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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.
VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Functional Statement #: 60973F
Salary : $417