This position functions primarily within the Pharmacy Service at the VA Medical Center of the West Texas VA Health Care System in support of the pharmaceutical needs of Veterans served by the health care system. The incumbent performs a variety of expanded complex technical duties and responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician in the Pharmacy, which require application of an extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practice. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Preferred Experience: 1 year of customer service experience 1 year of hospital experience Experience with pharmacy automation ( ScriptPro, Talyst, Ominicell, Pyxis). Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience - Must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, that fully meets the KSA's at that level. Creditable Experience - To be creditable, experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. Reference: GS-5 Assignment - This is the full-performance level for pharmacy technicians. Employees at this grade level serve as staff pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures, and require minimal supervision. Reference: GS-5 KSA's - (a) Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. (b) Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. (c) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. (d) Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. GS-6 KSA's - You must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and or Abilities. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to follow written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, Appendix G28, Dated 3/17/2006. 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: Light lifting/carrying, under 15 lbs Reaching above shoulders Use of fingers Walking/standing/ repeated bending, 4 hrs Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors Hearing, aid permitted Emotional and mental stability ["*** Closing date of vacancy has been extended. Once a candidate has been selected, the vacancy will be closed. *** Duties include, but are not limited to: Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. Assists with inventory management and ordering of medicines. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes as required. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. After prescription/order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Enters correct drug, strength, dosage form, and quantity into the patient's medication profile (DHCP, CPRS or otherwise). Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Assignments associated with the Mental Health and/or Health Maintenance Clinics that involve pharmacy services. Conducts monthly ward inspection of outpatient primary care areas. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas, relays this information to the appropriate Pharmacy personal. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Maintains a training/education manual for the focus area assigned. Provides training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, as required. Assists patients with tele-pharmacy applications including patient orientation to the application. Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist. As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas (including inpatient pharmacy services) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. However, primary assignments of work schedule and tours would involve outpatient pharmacy services. Outpatient services may include such areas as Coumadin Clinic, outpatient prescription filling, pharmacy phone triage, window prescription dispensing, narcotic vault assignments, or other areas that may develop from patient pharmacy needs. These duties are not all inclusive and required other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with occasional rotation of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Pharmacy Technician Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly-qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
