This position is for a certified pharmacy technician (or grandfathered prior to March 2006) in the Outpatient at the MVAHS. The incumbent will perform a variety of complex technical skills and functions which requires comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals, pharmacy practices, legal requirements, current equipment/systems, and software programs utilized to provide customer service. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service.

Duties

Medication Management: 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 d. Checks for outdated medications and supplies in the current inventory that expires within ninety (90) days. 4.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[1]mail, 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: Multiples Tours of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30 pm . Including weekends and Holidays or 7:30 am to 4:00pm. As Service request. Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives :Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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 Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/ registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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. Grade Requirement: addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-6 (a) Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, 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: (b) Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. (d) Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This vacancy is above the full performance. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28

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]