The pharmacy technician works in collaboration with other pharmacy technicians and responds to requests of pharmacists and other pharmacy supervisory staff. This position is located in Leeds, MA with the Pharmacy Service at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties include but not limited to the following description: The pharmacy technician works in collaboration with other pharmacy technicians and responds to requests of pharmacists and other pharmacy supervisory staff. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following description: Processes and fills outpatient prescriptions under the supervision of a pharmacist; Reviews outpatient drug orders and patient refill requests in the VISTA system to prioritize the filling and dispensing with the pharmacist; Assists in the process by selecting, counting/pouring, and labeling the prescription; Records required information on Pharmacy's copy of the prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication to outpatients; Prepares/distributes inpatient medication orders according to dosage forms such as intravenous admixtures and oral solids, according to established procedures and/or protocols; Prepares sterile products using aseptic techniques, in accordance with applicable USP standards; Utilizes the inpatient pick list to select medications as per procedures; Delivers the unit dose carts as per schedule; Reconstitutes oral and external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures, the amount of drug or solution to be used. Final check is performed by a pharmacist; Packages and labels unit of use medications; Restocks ward and clinic areas; Performs monthly ward/clinic inspections in accordance with JCAHO standards; Receives and appropriately manages/routes telephone calls from the national pharmacy and local call centers; Sorts and distributes all incoming mail to staff as appropriate; Sorts medication returned by mail for proper disposal or mailing to appropriate address. Reviews mail-in refill requests from patients and enters notes in CPRS when prescription have expired or have no remaining refills; and Processes telephone and on-line refill requests from patients. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F1396 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF STAFFING SHORTAGES: This position is being filled using the hard to fill position memo dated 9/30/2023 which waives Veterans Preference for hard to fill Hybrid vacancies. Veterans are still encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration. This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens 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. Grade Determinations: GS-6: Experience: One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the GS-6: 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. Preferred Experience: Current/Valid State Pharmacy Technician License. References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, GS-661, Veterans Health Administration Physical Requirements: Position requires some walking, standing, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds. The incumbent may be required to move equipment to facilitate the service's needs or program changes as dictated by either the service or the agency.

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 Northampton VA Medical Center 421 North Main Street Leeds, MA 01053 US
• Name: Heather Volpe
• Email: [email protected]