Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services within the pharmacy department. This position involves providing services related to inpatients and/or ambulatory patients. These include but are not limited to: processing and filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items; inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items and intravenous.

Duties

Major duties but not limited to: Pick up daily prescriptions left at mailbox outside building and at waiting area; opens and sort all mail prescriptions received and counts them. Deals with patient's prescriptions delivery problem and medication claims through telephone and receiving window. Deals with Fee Basis prescriptions claims and co-payment claims. Processes patient refill requests into computer by scanner or manually after evaluating patient medication profile in the computer and determining whether or not the refills are authorized. Files all prescription and refill request processed and medication dispensing copy by date. Performs Pharmacy Optifill Technician duties. Operates the Automated Prescription Filling Machine. Performs the necessary checklist to power up and power down the machine. Performs normal maintenance of the machine, including changing ribbons on the two types of printers, changing labels and paper for the two types of printers, daily cleaning of the printers and the machine. Fills empty canisters, tracking the contents by barcode reader, to allow an audit trail of the drugs placed into the machine. Fills bottle bins. Assures that rejected vials are recycled. Retrieves all manual pick medications by scanning all totes direct to these stations. Through scanning process, reads and adhere medication label and determine the kind of strength and dosage of the drug and medical supplies, to be dispensed. Sets up prescription by counting correct amount of medication and pouring it in correct stock container. Maintains area of work clean and in an orderly manner. Gives basic maintenance to counting machines. Maintains stock on proper date by making monthly inspections and removing expired drugs. After the prescription has been filled, adheres computer instruction label to containers and passes processed medications to Pharmacist for verification. Maintains all Check stations properly replenish of dispensing paper, address labels, shipping sack, paper bags. Verifies that all printers are working properly. Releases all prescriptions dispensed through scanner except medication not available and medical supplies. Delivers dispensed medications in and accurate, orderly, and timely manner, giving patient proper information in regard of his medications. Prepares and packs on shipping sacks and boxes all medication left at window for more than one day, to be send by mail. Assures medications are packed adequately and secure on the proper size of shipping sack or appropriate box. Performs monthly inspection of areas. Removes outdated, excess, or deteriorated items. Dispenses medical and ostomy items by mail or by window upon the receiving of prescription. Maintains area of work in a neat, clean, and orderly manner so that supplies can be readily inventoried. Makes inventory of all medications and supplies and submits daily listing of out of stock items. Prepares all bulk compounds and labels limited quantities of complex products following the procedures for which there is a master formula card. Weight's chemicals use balances and volumetric measurement. Fills "Pharmacy Manufacturing and Assay Record" VA Form 10-1361 for quality control. Pre-packages bulk product (ex: tablets, liquid, cream) into quantities and containers convenient for rapid and accurate drug dispensation. Informs and document any shortage or discrepancies to supervisor and/or budget clerk. Checks invoices of merchandise received from commercial or government sources. Responsible for inventory, distributing and rotating existing stock. Responsible for the receiving of all merchandise including medical and ostomy supplies and hazardous substance. Attends patient's claims by telephone regarding status of their medications. Provides correct information by reviewing patient's medication profile. Prepares, fills, and labels all controlled substances prescriptions. Records and accounts all controlled substance prescriptions dispensed. Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to Supervisor or designee. Submits reports as required for statistical purposes. On a quarterly basis submits Quality Improvement reports of drugs most associated with waste, fraud and/or abuse. Provides controlled substance training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, and student, etc. Work Schedule: Main Schedule: Monday to Friday 3:00pm-11:30pm and/or 11:00pm-7:00am. Requires to work weekends, holidays and on-call. May require to work day shift: 7:00am-3;30pm and/or 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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. Experience and Education : 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 (Must provide copy) English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-6 - Experience. One year experience at the GS-5 level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-5 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents .4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Selective Placement Factor Must be proficient in spoke and written Spanish Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II- Appendix G-28, Pharmacy Technician. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6 Physical Requirements: Work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, and bending/stooping The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

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 San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Mireya Rodriguez-Perez
• Phone: 787-221-2542
• Email: [email protected]