Pharmacy Technician

Summary

The pharmacy technician will provide technical support services within the pharmacy department at the Tallahassee VA Clinic - including providing customer service to Veterans and providers related to prescription needs - preparing prescriptions for patients in various settings by counting - pouring - weighing - measuring - or mixing the medications - dispensing and delivering medications - and using automated systems and electronic health records.

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

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with38 U.S.C.
• 7407(a)
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision
• Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date (11/07/23) of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 5 - VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-06
• Education or Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• 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
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion involving moderate lifting/carrying (15-44 pounds) and walking/standing for 4 hours
• The work also involves working with hands in water - work closely with others - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid may be permitted) - use of fingers - both hands required - and be emotionally and mentally stable
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
  
  

Duties

• Duties included but not limited to: Provide patients and/or caregivers with medication and supplies - as ordered by the provider
• Perform technical support work in the pharmacy under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and/or a full performance level pharmacy technician
• Fill prescriptions utilizing automation
• Package and/or dispense medications and supplies after a final check by a pharmacist
• Answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
• Perform monthly inspections of assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and removal of soon-to-expire or expired medications
• Receive - check - rotate - and stock items received from pharmacy procurement section - identifying and reconciling any discrepancies to ensure the correct items have been received
• Monitor refrigerator - freezer - and/or room temperature and humidity in assigned areas - responding to alerts with appropriate correction or escalation as indicated
• Work Schedule: 8 hour rotational shifts including evenings - night - weekends and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 51236F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized