Summary

Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. The technician 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) - 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 proficiency PTCB certification or NHA certification Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06)
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Inpatient and outpatient pharmacy experience - Omnicell and IV prep
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G28
• Physical Requirements: The work requires repetitive motion - standing - walking - reaching - stooping - lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds - pushing heavy or bulky carts and at times may be physically demanding - sometimes for extended periods of time
• Must be able to adjust to changing environments
• Must demonstrate the ability to stay on task - to multi-task - and to adapt to the speed of the workflow as required to provide the best customer service possible to the veterans and staff.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to the following: Accurately interpret - fills - and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification
• Complies with all VHA - Medical Center - and Pharmacy regulations - directives - policies - and procedures 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 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 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 Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service as assigned Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• 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
• Follow USP 797/800 Guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparations - including ophthalmic - cardioplegic - TPN - hazardous - large & small volume IV solutions - PCAs - etc
• Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume - small volume - infusion syringe or other as required
• 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
• Assures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards and attains a final review by a pharmacist
• Maintains repackaging records that assures all regulatory and review standards are met
• Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems as they occur and coordinates resolution of more involved mechanical or software problems with Supervisor - vendor help desk - ADPAC - etc
• as appropriate
• Correctly inventories - assesses - and determines the need for floor stock and external medication
• 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
• Maintains national certification with PTCB or ExCPT Assists higher level technicians as needed VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts including but not limited to weekdays - weekends - holidays - and overnight tours of duty - as determined by the respective section supervisor - for the needs of Pharmacy Service
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required