Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician

Summary

The Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient/Outpatient) expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs), unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices.

Qualifications

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 by38 U.S.C
7403(f)
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
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)
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following: GS-07 Pharmacy Technician Grade Determinations: Experience
Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work
2
Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent
3
Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers
4
Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students
5
Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution
6
Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases
Assignments: 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
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

'Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring 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.
Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound alike, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids, and refrigerated items.
Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received.
Performs 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.
Controlled Substances Reports unresolvable discrepancies to immediate area supervisor for resolution.
Assist in investigating, witnessing, and resolving discrepancies.
Complies with all laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory, and accountability of controlled substances.
Inpatient Pharmacy Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and supplies the product for pharmacist verification and delivery.
Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared.
Unit Dose Medication Management Performs review of medications prepared by another pharmacy employee to be dispensed to hospital areas.
Inventories and replenishes emergency trays.
Automatic Replenishment/Ward Stock Follows established policies and procedures, schedules, inventory levels, and usage rate reports to determine appropriate stock levels for specific areas of use.
Accurately fills prescription items for wards using Automatic Replenishment reports.
Outpatient Pharmacy Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels for window dispensing and mail delivery.
Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions by using VA software (i.e., VISTA and barcode scanning) Utilizes and comprehends the mail shipping programs used by the facility (i.e., USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.) for overnight delivery of noncontrolled and controlled prescriptions.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized'