Summary

Pharmacy technicians at the GS-7 grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously - using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission - vision - and goals of the Washington DC VA Medical Center and Pharmacy.

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: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) Education or Experience: a
• None required
• b
• 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 (GS-07 and above): For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: a
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
• b
• 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)
• Grade Determinations for Pharmacy Technician - GS-07: Experience
• Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-06
• The knowledge - skills - and abilities at the GS-06 grade level are: 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
• Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment
• Knowledge of basic inventory procedures
• Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• This vacancy is above the full performance level
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as TB screening - as a condition of employment
• Lifting/carrying up to 44 lbs.
• Standing
• Sitting
• Walking
• Kneeling
• Bending/Stooping
• Twisting
• Pushing/pulling - Both legs required
• Simple grasping
• Use of fingers - Both hands required
• Fine manipulation (includes keyboarding)
• Reaching above shoulders
• Near vision correctable at 1316" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - Far vision correction in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing whispered voice (with or without aid)
• Emotional/mental stability
• Walking on slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• Working with hands in water
• Working closely with others
• and Protracted or irregular hours of work.

Duties

• The Pharmacy Technician accomplishes 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
• The incumbent performs all duties under the supervision and is expected to acquire and maintain a high degree of accurate productivity and performance
• Some duties include - but are not limited to: General: 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
• Prescription Assembly: Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug - strength - quantity - auxiliary labels - and prescription labels
• for window dispensing and mail delivery
• Assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles
• Supports automation by manually completing prescriptions not processed through the automation dispensing machine
• Assures the timely completion of all prescriptions
• Window Pick-Up Verifies the patient's identification following the Medical Center's policies (i.e. - double patient identifiers) Ensures that the patient receives the correct prescriptions by using VA software (i.e. - VISTA and barcode scanning) Verifies that the patient has received all prescriptions (i.e. - refrigerated - controlled substances - bulk medications - etc.) Mail Packaging: Utilizes and comprehends the mail shipping programs used by the facility (i.e. - USPS - FedEx - UPS - etc.) for overnight delivery of non-controlled and controlled prescriptions
• Performs searches - updates patient information - and generates shipping reports as requested by the supervisor
• Calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verifies patients address
• Packages prescriptions appropriately - as to assure that packages are not damaged within transit (i.e. - bubble wrap - ice blocks - insulated containers - etc.) Utilizes VA software programs to check narratives and problem-solve deliveries for patients with no physical address
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 9:30 AM EST - 6:00 PM EST - rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 688-24092-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized