This position is for a trained pharmacy technician in the VA system at the MVAHS. The incumbent will perform a variety of complex technical skills and functions which requires comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practices. The employee will assists the pharmacist, in providing optimal care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision and goals of the MVAHS and Pharmacy Service.

Duties

Pharmacy technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions including filling outpatient prescriptions and filling inpatient unit dose medication orders, but are not limited to: 1. Prescription Assembly :a. Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels and prescription labels. for window dispensing and mail delivery b. Assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles c. Supports automation by manually completing prescriptions not processed through the automation dispensing machine d. Assures the timely completion of all prescriptions. 2. Window Pick-Up :a. Verifies the patient's identification following the Medical Center's policies (i.e. double patient identifiers) b. Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions by using VA software (i.e. VISTA and barcode scanning) c. Verifies that the patient has received all prescriptions (i.e. refrigerated, controlled substances, bulk medications, etc) 3. Inventory Stock Control: a. Notifies the procurement section of inventory needs and shortages, using published procedures (i.e. SOP, PSPM) b. Receives, verifies, signs for and stores incoming supplies and medications from local vendors, warehouse and contract suppliers c. Assures that stock is properly rotated upon storing and that no more than one (1) multi-use container is opened at any given time. d. Checks for outdated medications and supplies in the current inventory that expires within ninety (90) days. 4. Mail Packaging: a. 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. b. Performs searches, updates patient information, and generates shipping reports as requested by the supervisor. c. Calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verifies patients address. d. Packages prescriptions appropriately, as to assure that packages are not damaged within transit (i.e. bubble wrap, ice blocks, insulated containers, etc) e. Utilizes VA software programs to check narratives and problem solve deliveries for patients with no physical address 5. Customer Service :a. Assists patients with refill request, problems with prescriptions and other queries. b. Takes detailed messages for the pharmacists when a problem needs professional attention. c. Utilizes VA software programs to process mail refill request, return misdirected mail and contact patient to inquire about returned prescriptions (i.e. credit, re-email, destruction, etc) 6. Automation: a. Knows the basic procedures to run the automated prescription filling machines (i.e. ability to start-up and shut down machinery) b. Uses handheld scanner and/or scale to load and re-stock canister with correct medication using NDC and barcodes. c. Uses equipment specialized programs (i.e. Exceptions Manager, Inventory, Reports, etc) to assure proper utilization and resolve operational issues. d. Provides equipment maintenance (i.e. cleaning, archiving data, etc). e. Works closely with the Pharmacy ADPAC to assure continuous operations and to troubleshoot operational issues. 7. Controlled Substances: a. Complies with all laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory and accountability of controlled substances. b. Assists all inspectors with the inventory and accountability inspections. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:40pm including weekends and holidays rotations. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Grade Determinations: Creditable Experience: To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice Quality of Experience: To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-time Experience: Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. GRANDFATHERING PROVISION: All persons employed in VHA as a Pharmacy Technician on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the Pharmacy Technician occupation. Please read the requirements section of the announcement for further information. 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. Grade Requirement: addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-5 (a) Education or Experience. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. 2. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. 3. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. 4. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. (c) Assignments. 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. 25% of the time. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 Physical Requirements: 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 (up to 50 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Joselyne Figueroa-Cruz
• Phone: 787-600-0438
• Email: [email protected]