Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient Pharmacy)

Summary

This position is assigned to the outpatient pharmacy located within the VA Mid­ Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - Hampton VA Medical Center - Pharmacy Service. This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the GS-6 full performance level at the Hampton VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this level can work autonomously and use independent judgement to perform a full range of duties.

Qualifications

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: 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 Health career Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• May 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 Determinations: Experience
• One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level (GS-06)
• Certification
• For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT
• NHA as a ExCPT
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment - if indicated: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent work.Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures
• Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent
• Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other member of the healthcare team - Veterans - and external customers
• Ability to train new pharmacy technicians and students
• Ability to dispense medications 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: Retail Outpatient Pharmacy Experience Required 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving - standing and pushing carts about the work unit
• The work requires regular and recurring bending - stretching - and lifting
• The incumbent must be a mature - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - demonstrating cheerfulness - compassion - courtesy and concern for staff and patients.
  
  

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Assigned Duties: Accurately interpret - fills - and package outpatient prescriptions for window and mail efficiently to achieve a goal of twenty-minute window waiting time and two-day mail turnaround time
• Prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by ensuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris to create optimal work areas
• Ensures 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 items
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures
• Reports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate
• Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed
• Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements
• Reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) and dispenses medication or sterile products
• Resolves pharmacy/medication issues and functions as first-line telephone contact with other members of the healthcare team - veterans - and external customers
• Addresses telephone requests in a timely and courteous fashion - processing - for example - refill request - etc
• Forwards calls beyond the technician's scope to a pharmacist or supervisor
• Attends orientation - education - and training programs
• Reviews literature and other materials pertaining to the practice of pharmacy
• Completes all educational requirements and mandatory training programs required by the agency in the stipulated time-period
• Completes all competency/skills assessments as required in the stipulated time-period
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians - interns - and students
• Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students - externs - interns - residents - and professional and non-professional staff members
• Properly operates all equipment in the assigned area(s) in an efficient manner and assist with troubleshooting automated dispensing equipment(ADE) - other assigned equipment's or technology platforms/databases
• Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality
• Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service as assigned
• Work Schedule: Rotating schedule -primarily day shift
• May include weekends - evenings and holidays as determined by the respective section supervisor - for the needs of Pharmacy Service
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized