This position is for a certified pharmacy technician at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. The incumbent is expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding including hazardous drugs. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Education or Experience: Applicants must have a high school diploma ore equivalent; or at least 3 months of experience. Certification: Applicants must be certified by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. GS-7 Pharmacy Technician: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. This experience includes but is not limited to: 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; Use of pharmacy information systems or operating pharmacy dispensing equipment; Knowledge of basic inventory procedures; Communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *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. Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by the health care facility. Preferred Experience: Possess a current Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or ExCPT with an understanding of the goals, objectives and performance measures associated with Pharmacy Operations. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (45 pounds and greater) of pharmaceutical supplies, and pushing/bending/stooping/stretching. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf The pharmacy technician is primarily assigned to the Outpatient area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments and higher complexity assignments. The Pharmacy Technician 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. Duties will include: Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification. 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 in order to create optional 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 a like, 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. Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate. Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt and stocking of items in ADCs. Perform 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. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification Work Schedule: Full-Time Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
