The Columbia VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for the position of a Rotational Pharmacy Technician. The incumbent is expected to be a multifunctional technician and will perform at the full performance level in the Pharmacy.

Duties

Prepares medication for both the window and mail out prescriptions; including selecting appropriate drug and affixing all labels including warning/auxiliary labels for the patient Coordinates activity at the Outpatient Pharmacy window; including correctly matching the patient's printouts, prioritizing work in the proper sequence, and delivering prepared medication to patients at the pickup window Displays thorough knowledge of the operation and maintenance of all automated dispensing systems utilized in the outpatient area Performs daily maintenance and minor repairs to systems to maintain maximum efficiency of outpatient operations Reviews orders for prosthetic items and approved for non-drug supply items and processes orders as the final reviewer prior to patient release Reviews supply orders for completeness and fills the orders Maintains and updates all required records regarding lot numbers and expiration dates for all medications stored in the automated dispensing systems Assures all dispensed medications are properly entered to promote total accountability and retrieval (if necessary, for recall) of medications Processes computerized refill requests via VISTA Prepares notices to patients regarding refill status, changes in medications, etc. Assists with inventorying and/or stocking Reviews all returned mail packages to provide prompt resolution as to why package was deferred back to pharmacy Receives and responds to all telephone inquiries from patients/family members regarding any issue related to prescription availability Advises the patient/family on problem resolution and screen/triage calls for problems that should be referred to Clinical Pharmacists, Clinical Pharmacy Specialists or Supervisor for follow-up Answers and triages internal calls from medical center staff Reviews, prioritizes, fills, and delivers medications for clinics and wards using automated system inventories Monitors all areas and automated dispensing machines for discontinued or expired medications to assure both safe and cost-efficient drug delivery Maintains all required records regarding distribution, lot numbers, expiration, and packaging for all clinic areas Reconstitutes oral and external non-sterile products without second level review; including calculating and converting to proper measures the amount of drug or solutions to be used Responsible for manufacturing of parenterals/admixtures and other complex pharmaceuticals Facilitates the return of all unused medications from the wards and clinics for proper credit or destruction, as appropriate Conducts ward and clinic inspections to ensure that medications are stored properly, have not exceeded their expiration date, stock is not excessive, and that storage complies with all VA and Joint Commission guidelines Ensures correct use and maintenance of tablet counting machines, labeling machines, and all other equipment used for medication preparation and dispensing Determines and properly documents economical quantity needed, expiration dates, etc., and assures all appropriate records are maintained Follows pharmaceutical standard practices when compounding solutions, ointments, powders, etc Assists pharmacists in preparing medications for dispensing, maintaining any required records, and managing inventory to assure availability Prepares, fills, delivers clinic med stock orders and outpatient orders for controlled substances when assigned Monitors distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends, and communicates potential problems to the controlled substance pharmacist or supervisor The technician will assist in both outpatient and inpatient Pharmacy areas Inpatient functions include packaging unit dose medications utilizing unit dose packaging machine, replenishing stock in automated dispensing machines, conducting routine ward inspections, preparing intravenous admixtures, and delivering medications to inpatient and outpatient clinics Outpatient functions include filling and labeling medications for verification by a pharmacist, assisting patients at the pharmacy pick-up window, cleaning and refilling the outpatient automated dispensing machines, and preparing outpatient-controlled substances in accordance with facility policy for pharmacist verification Performs other duties as assigned by management Work Schedule: Rotating Day Shifts (0700-1530, 0800-1630, 0830-1700, 0930-1800, 1230-2100, 1400-2230). Will be required to work at least one weekend per month (weekend tours include 0730-1600, 0800-1630, 1230-2100, 1400-2230). Will be required to work some holidays and provide coverage for odd tours and nights (1230-2100, 1530-midnight, 8pm-8am, midnight-8am). May be required to work extra weekends and holidays during periods of staffing shortages. Tour of duty is subject to change based on agency's needs. Functional Statement #: FS50603 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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 mustbe proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations GS-6: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-5. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: (a) Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. (b) Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment, (c) Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. (d) Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. (e) Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. (f) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Preferred Experience: One year of experience as a Certified Pharmacy Technician in an Inpatient or Outpatient Pharmacy setting with extensive knowledge of pharmacy automation equipment, including but not limited to ScriptPro, Pyxis and Omnicell. The incumbent should have experience preparing intravenous admixtures and knowledge of USP 797/800 standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Reginald Young
• Phone: 704-638-9000
• Email: [email protected]