The Clinical Pharmacy Technician will provide administrative, clerical and basic clinical support to the clinical pharmacy section of Pharmacy Division at the Fayetteville, NC VA Medical Center. The incumbent will apply their knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
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. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Certification. For positions above the GS-06 full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification. 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). GS-07 Grade Determination: Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-06 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: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. 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 are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. Knowledge, 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 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 Preferred Experience: Leadership, Advanced Pharmacy Technician skills, Clinical job duty knowledge Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing IV admixtures, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose-cassettes, and IV solutions; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Work Environment: Work is performed in patient care, office and storage areas of the facility. Work areas are adequately heated and lighted. Potential exists for: exposure to infectious patients or materials; exposure to hazardous and toxic substances including but not limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy, solvents, grease, oils, and cleaning solutions; sticks or cuts from hypodermic needles, lancets or other sharp items.
The incumbent works under the direction of the clinical pharmacy section supervisor who outlines assignments and priorities and also the pharmacists who oversee daily activities and projects. Duties will include, but are not limited to: Clinical: Incumbent will provide clinic support through performing basic laboratory functions, appointment scheduling, communicating with patients via telephone, faxing and mailing, preparation of teaching materials and filing. Inpatient and Outpatient: Incumbent will perform processing and filling of outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices. Sterile Compounding: Through use of aseptic technique, responsible for the preparation of pharmaceuticals for parenteral administration; advanced technical working knowledge of various administration routes for various parenteral pharmaceuticals and the special preparation considerations that must be taken into account in their preparation. Controlled Substances: Fills and dispenses prescriptions for controlled substances for both Inpatient and Outpatient customers. Procurement and Stock Maintenance: Performs duties associated with stocking of medications and supplies, to include rotation of stock, checking for and pulling of outdated/expired medications and supply items, cleaning and maintenance of stock shelves and areas. Customer Service: Incumbent has contact and collaborates with employees, co-workers in the pharmacy, medical staff, nursing staff, and other health care providers at the facility, vendors and their support staff or representatives, patients, care givers, and the public in order to obtain information and solve problems, take or give direction. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 0800-1630. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-0661-07