Job opening: Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient
Salary: $48 619 - 63 200 per year
Published at: Jul 11 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
This announcement serves to fill vacancies in the Pharmacy Outpatient. Outpatient Pharmacy Functions (prescription filing and drug entry, dispensing functions, bulk compounding and repacking functions, occasional procurement functions). Also functions as back up controlled substance technician (inpatient or outpatient vault), and phone technician / resolution expert.
Duties
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws
Functions as a Pharmacy Technician in the 24-hour Pharmacy Service, fully trained and familiar with departmental procedures and policy guidelines in both Outpatient and Inpatient pharmacies. Rotational all shifts I all days/ weekends/holidays. May work at a location off site from primary assignment (Toledo versus Ann Arbor) if the need arises.
Assignments include the Inpatient Pharmacy (IV admixture services and chemotherapy preparation), Unit doses services, and ward stock replenishment service, restocking automated dispensing machines); and Outpatient Pharmacy Functions (prescription filing and drug entry, dispensing functions, bulk compounding and repacking functions, occasional procurement functions). Also functions as back up controlled substance technician (inpatient or outpatient vault), and phone technician / resolution expert.
Reports medication safety issues and quality issues through the appropriate channels and strives to prevent defects in the medication use system.
Checks assigned wards and/or other areas where drugs are stored for proper storage conditions, expired drugs, unapproved items, etc. Uses Readiness Rounds Software to document activities as applicable. Assures that inspections are completed every month as assigned, working with supervisor to work out any difficulties in meeting this goal.
Answers phone inquiries and independently solves problems and answers question in a timely manner. Questions requiring a Pharmacist intervention are appropriately triaged using problem solving skills, directed to the appropriate party and documented. Staffs the patient phones and fields questions from patients. Operates software and hardware sufficiently well to problem solve package deliveries, shipping issues, CMOP issues and prescription refill and renewal issues. Pronounces drug names clearly and identifies patients according to hospital policy (two unique identifiers). Confirms patient shipping address and assists patients with solving supply and medication shortage issues.
Helps with the orientation/documentation of training of new pharmacy personnel/students when assigned by a Supervisor.
Informs the pharmacist and Supervisor of customer care issues if I when problem solving activity does not appropriately or completely resolve the issue.
Aids in the receiving and proper storage of medications and supplies when directed by a Supervisor or his/her designee. Receives, checks and properly stores medications and medical supplies. Signs wholesaler invoices as required to document receipt of product. Stocks IV room when assigned to that area. Assists the Procurement technicians when assigned and
informs them of current supply/Inventory issues.
Outpatient Functions:
Using accepted pharmacy operation practices, fills outpatient prescriptions for final check by a pharmacist. Assures that medication orders are separated by patient throughout the whole process.
Receives and processes requests for refills at the Outpatient Pharmacy window or via the telephone.
Prepackages medication into commonly dispensed quantities or volume for a final check by a pharmacist (Each labeled with a lot number, expiration date, unit of issue and medication name, bar code)
Packages medication and medical supplies for mailing to patients.
Processes returns and orders medication from the inpatient vault Works closely with the technician assigned to the inpatient vault. Coordinates re-order of medication with the Procurement staff.
Inpatient Functions:
Using aseptic technique, prepares sterile products (TPN, IVPB, Large Volume Parenteral) to be checked by a pharmacist Demonstrates competence in the preparation of low and medium risk sterile products as outlined in USP 797 requirements. After appropriate training period, demonstrates competence to prepare chemotherapy. Prepares chemotherapy products
following safe medication practices and guidelines for protection from hazardous drug exposure. Day shift technicians may occasionally be required to prepare chemotherapy for most of their shift if staffing and workload requires.
Works cooperatively with the Oncology clinical specialist and other pharmacists to problem solve patient care related issues that may arise with preparation and dispensing of chemotherapy and other drugs.
Delivers medications, IV solutions and ward stock items to their proper locations in a timely manner. Receives, interprets, fills and delivers ward stock orders to proper wards and clinics.
Delivers medication to patient specific "nurse server'' or Omnicell locations as applicable.
Work Schedule: Rotational Monday-Friday, with alternating weekends/holidays and evenings.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92310-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, 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.
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.
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 GS-6:
Experience. One year experience at the next lower level (GS-05) and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
Certification. National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification is required at this grade level and above.
GS-5 KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment.
Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique.
Knowledge of basic inventory procedures.
Knowledge of pharmacy information systems.
GS-6 KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and 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 Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Job Qualification Standard GS-661.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. The physical demands of the work includes moderate lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, light lifting of under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required), walking up to 4 hours, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, kneeling, repeated bending/stooping, climbing, use of legs and arms, operation of vehicle/motorized cart, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20, specific visual requirement, ability to read fine print on labels, depth perceptions, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), clear speech, and emotional stability.
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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center
2215 Fuller Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
US
- Name: Eric Earns
- Phone: (989) 397-4981
- Email: [email protected]
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