The GS-7 Pharmacy Technician - Automation (OA) will provide administrative, clerical and basic clinical support to the clinical pharmacy section of Pharmacy Division and must have the ability to independently gather, evaluate and analyze patient data to include collection of laboratory information throughout various areas of the pharmacy services. Pharmacy Automation experience preferred.

Duties

Pharmacy Technician - Automation (OA) will spend greater than 80% of the time performing clinical functions. Clinical: Incumbent will provide clinic support through performing basic laboratory functions, Appointment scheduling, faxing and mailing, preparation of teaching materials and filing. Reviews clinic consults on a routine basis to schedule new patients for enrollment in clinic. The incumbent will also triage telephone calls from patients, family members, and/or caregivers to address a variety of issues, evaluate the problem, and provide an appropriate solution or refer the problem expeditiously to the pharmacist when the problem is beyond the technician's level of knowledge or expertise. Inpatient and Outpatient: Incumbent will perform processing and filling of 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 admixtures including cytotoxic chemotherapy; crash cart maintenance; stock management; operation, maintenance, usage, re-stocking, and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment; patient and customer relations; and preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports. Sterile Compounding: Through use of aseptic technique, responsible for the preparation of pharmaceuticals for parenteral administration; advanced technical working knowledge of various administration routes for various parenteral pharmaceuticals and the special preparation considerations that must be taken into account in their preparation, handling, storage, distribution and disposal; advanced technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in the preparation of intravenous admixtures including but not limited to barrier isolators, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc. Specialized knowledge regarding chemical and physical compatibilities is essential for the proper preparation of parenteral pharmaceuticals. Controlled Substances: Fills and dispenses prescriptions for controlled substances for both Inpatient and Outpatient beneficiaries. Incumbent performs controlled substances inventories as required. The incumbent is required to possess advanced knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of FHCC and Network policy and state and Federal regulations, which apply to these drugs. Knowledge of trending and analysis is necessary to ensure that problems associated with waste, fraud, diversion or abuse are identified quickly and reported to appropriate supervisor(s). Chemotherapy: Responsible for preparation of chemotherapeutic agents. Performs advanced functions including intravenous admixture preparation and distribution, including cytotoxic chemotherapy. The technician must have , in addition to the advanced technical working knowledge required for intravenous admixtures, advanced technical knowledge of hazards of chemotherapeutic agents, including but not limited to the dangers posed to those who prepare, deliver, administer and/or receive treatment with these agents. Procurement and Stock Maintenance: Performs duties associated with stocking of medications and supplies, to include rotation of stock, checking for and pulling of outdated/expired medications and supply items, cleaning and maintenance of stock shelves and areas. Adheres to procurement standards, regulations, and laws to include adherence to VA formulary management. Notifies and coordinates with supervisor, pharmacist-in charge, and/or supply technicians of medications and supply items needed. Incumbent has contact and collaborates with employees, co-workers in the pharmacy, medical staff, nursing staff, and other health care providers at the facility, vendors and their support staff or representatives, patients, care givers, and the public in order to obtain information and solve problems, take or give direction, discuss work efforts, and exchange factual information about work operations and patient care. Performs other duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, plus rotating shifts and holiday/weekend schedules as needed to cover operational needs. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Work Environment: Work is performed in patient care, office and storage areas of the facility. Work areas are adequately heated and lighted. Potential exists for: exposure to infectious patients or materials; exposure to hazardous and toxic substances including but not limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy, solvents, grease, oils, and cleaning solutions; sticks or cuts from hypodermic needles, lancets or other sharp items; musculoskeletal injuries if proper lifting and carrying techniques are not used; unusual musculoskeletal fatigue due to prolonged standing, electronic data processing, etc.; eye strain.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship is required to qualify for the position. This position requires pharmacy technician certification through the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Must be proficient in written and spoken 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: For the GS-07 position, you must have at least 52 weeks at the GS-06 level. Preferred Experience: Automation experience as a VAMC Pharmacy Technician References: Requirements for appointment of a pharmacy technician GS-0661 in the VHS&RA under authority of 39 U.S.C. 4103(3) are outlined in VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Employees are typically expected to work forty hours per week. This may include evenings, midnights, weekends and/or holidays as assigned. Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing IV admixtures, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose-cassettes, and IV solutions; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Employees must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used on the job. Employees may be required to work at various pharmacy locations as assigned.

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 Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Kathryn 'Beth' Lasasso
• Phone: (980) 401-2561
• Email: [email protected]