This position for Pharmacy Technician functions within the Pharmacy under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and supports the mission of the VA Medical Center to assure safe, effective, and medically necessary use of medications by Veterans by performing packaging, manipulative, repetitive, and other non-discretionary tasks as delegated by a pharmacist.
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) Education 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 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: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) OR (2) 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). Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation Grade Determinations: GS-7 Pharmacy Technician Experience and Certifications. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases Preferred Experience: Outpatient pharmacy experience. 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: lifting between 15-44 pounds, walking, standing, distinguish basic colors, use of fingers, working alone and closely with others.
Works autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of pharmacy technician duties, including assisting advanced/specialized pharmacy technicians (at least 25% of the time). Provides telephone and consult triage and patient follow-up as assigned. Answers questions (via telephone, in-person, or consult) from patients, nurses, providers, and other medical center staff and refers complex or therapeutic questions to a pharmacist. Accurately completes Call Center consults in a timely manner. Accurately fills finished prescriptions for mail-out or pick-up. Provides patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist. Counsels patients on correct medication ordering techniques and medical center policies and procedures. Performs duties as a Team Leader for specific process improvement teams. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams. Continually seeks to improve services. Also, assists with collecting drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes when requested. Applies safe handling precautions when working with hazardous medicines consistent with Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) recommendations. When stationed at the outpatient window, greets the patient or staff member with a helpful and positive attitude. Answers questions presented and/or seeks assistance as required. Verifies the correct identity of the patient or patient's representative before releasing any medications or supplies. Addresses any remaining questions from the patient by either answering procedural questions directly or by referring therapeutic questions to a pharmacist. Assists in mentoring and training peer and lower graded technicians, residents, volunteers and pharmacy students at least 25% of the time. Actively participates in inter- and intra-departmental medical center training programs. Keeps technically current in pharmacy and medicine by self instruction and routine attendance at conferences and seminars to ensure that the professional obligations of this service are met. Supports and ensures that department and medical center policies, procedures, guidelines, government regulations, and Professional/Technical Standards concerning drug control, drug security and drug accountability (i.e. including supplies) are maintained at all-times. First-line communication between the service and patient, nurse and/or medical staff to service patients' needs either in person or over the telephone. Attitude, conduct, appearance and work performance of the technician will contribute positively to the successful operation and efficiency of the department. Participates in pharmacy improvement initiatives at the direction of supervisor(s) at least 25% of the time. Consistently responds to patients, family members, visitors, and co-workers' requests for assistance in a prompt, timely and cooperative manner. First line communication between the service and patient, nurse and/or medical staff to service patients' needs either in person or over the telephone. Provides patient education on pharmacy topics such as requesting refills, narcotics, renewals and drug information sheets. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm with occasional nights and weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized