This is a Pharmacy Clinical Technician position with primary responsibilities in our Pharmacy Anticoagulation Clinic. Pharmacy Clinical Technicians work in various areas of the pharmacy, i.e. Pharmacy Check-In, Self-Directed Care, Pharmacy Call Center, Community Care Pharmacy, Inpatient Pharmacy, Outpatient Pharmacy, as well as various storage areas, offices and patient care areas.

Duties

The primary functions of the Pharmacy Clinical Technician include laboratory value monitoring, medical chart / pharmacy profile poly-pharmacy reviews, medication use evaluation monitoring, pharmacoeconomic reviews, Care in the Community, Fee Basis, Aid &Attendance and Dual Care operations, telephone logistical support, supplemental patient education communication and prescription order entry (with pharmacist oversight). Major duties include (but not limited to): Anticoagulation Clinic Duties: Clinic Duties include daily anticoagulation spreadsheet preparation and monitoring of clinic flow to ensure timely patient visits. Patients will typically be stable INR laboratory visits but may also include other laboratory visits such as recheck potassium, therapeutic drug levels, and complete blood counts. Assessment Assessment for warfarin indication and INR range. Reviewing medication changes on the patient questionnaire (including any herbals, dietary supplements/OTC, adherence, health changes, and complications of therapy). Routine monitoring of laboratory data. Technical Duties including monitoring need for warfarin renewals, appointment scheduling, appropriate laboratory testing per protocol, consult completion, data documentation in VISTA/CPRS/Anticoagulation spreadsheets. Communicating with the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist any changes in medications/diet, any evident reason for changes in INR value, and any abnormal laboratory findings. Telephone Support involving facilitating rescheduling of patients who have missed appointments, and triaging any incoming phone calls from patients, their family members or other health care providers. Outpatient Clinic Duties: Clinic Duties include reviewing patient med lists, prescription renewals, educating patients on renewal process. Assessment Assess patient medication list for changes, additions, or discontinued medication. Identify non-formulary medications and communicate options to patient. Process telephone renewals within allowable standards and assess patients' current medication needs. Refer patient to pharmacist for counseling of all new medication. Technical Duties include chart review, and med reconciliation using Vista and CPRS. Review doctors' notes and prescription orders for clarification. Review patient's medication profile to identify changes. Communication Support Contacting nurses and providers for clarification or questions on medication orders. Provide support for nurses, providers etc. on orderable items, refill status, and other pharmacy related questions. Facilitating patients' needs by contacting other VA's and CMOP with problems or concerns. Complete Secure messaging. Care in the Community Duties, Fee Basis, Aid & Attendance and Dual Care: Duties include the intake and review of patient information for complete information. Maintaining updated spreadsheet for tracking of medication requests. Documenting medication requests in patient charts utilizing CPRS. Assessment Assesses if required information is present i.e. progress notes supporting medication requests, authorization numbers, able to identify proper lab tests required for certain medication requests and does prescription contain duration and instructions for use. Identifies formulary medication requests. Able to provide non-formulary medication alternatives and criteria for restricted medications utilizing Pharmacy Benefit Manager. When applicable recognizes and provides supporting documentation for medication denials i.e. anticoagulation and anti-arrhythmic medications. Technical Duties including data documentation in VISTA/CPRS/ tracking spreadsheets. Inputs appropriate progress note into CPRS containing all pertinent information regarding medication request. Utilizes VISTA Imaging/EPIC/ERX to ensure all required information for medication request is accessible. Oversees and updates information in excel spreadsheet for tracking of medication request. Creates medication reconciliation spreadsheet for Pharmacist review. Provider entry Communication Support Contacting outside facilities requesting additional information for completion of medication requests. Contacting outside facilities to validate medication dosages. Non-formulary requests that require further review upon receiving packets i.e. medications that require criteria to be met before medication can be prescribed. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 7:30am-4:00pm, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Eligible, ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000/Pharmacy Technician Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 10/30/2023. Pharmacy Technician 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. 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. 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. 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: GS-07 Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. 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 by an asterisk. GS-07: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) *Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work requires physical exertion such as reaching, standing, walking short and long distance, and climbing to obtain product from moderately high shelving. Occasionally may need to lift up to 40 pounds. The majority of work requires extended periods of standing with short periods of sitting to complete tasks. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical in a pharmacy setting. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns, goggles, gloves, and shoe covers and hair covers to minimize risks. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 St Cloud VA Medical Center 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN 56303 US
• Name: Jennifer Cuyler-Leath
• Phone: (980) 944-5582
• Email: [email protected]