This position for Pharmacy Technician functions within the Pharmacy under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments and higher complexity assignments. Supports the mission of the VA Medical Center to assure safe, effective, and medically necessary use of medications by Veterans by performing packaging, manipulative, repetitive, and other non-discretionary tasks as delegated by a pharmacist

Duties

INCENTIVE AUTHORIZED Assigned Duties: Telephone and consult triage and patient follow-up Fills finished prescriptions Prioritizes operational and assigned clinical functions . Patient education Greets the patient or staff member. Answers questions. Cross training of peer technicians, residents, volunteers and work-study students. Specialty Pharmacy Automation Resolves problems and troubleshoots outpatient pharmacy automation issues Coordinates the technical aspect of outpatient pharmacy drug distribution activities Adds new medications and deletes obsolete medications Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained Works with automation vendors to resolve issues, schedule maintenance, software updates Inventory Management Inventory management duties using the knowledge of polices and procedures Daily management of inventory including inventory stored in automated pharmacy technology. Puts away the inventory. Refrigeration if necessary immediately Processes outdated unusable and excess inventory for return. Identification of recalled drugs Removes outdated, expired, or excess inventory Properly documents receipt of each item by annotating on the invoice or packing slip, signing and dating Reviews medication orders that have not been picked up and discusses appropriate disposition Reviews medications and supplies returned from units and clinics for restock or destruction Replenishes emergency crash cart medication trays Delivers prepared crash cart to designated location Controlled Substances Serve as a backup for the Narcotic Technician. Prepares/dispenses controlled substances orders. Receives new/returned stock into inventory Conducts regular scheduled inventories per policy. Processing Prescriptions Enters computerized prescriptions/refill requests Receives faxed/mailed in prescriptions and refill requests. Examines prescriptions/refill requests against computer medication profiles Prepares prescriptions for final check by a pharmacist. Selects the correct medications/paperwork and counts the correct quantity. Applies labels to the prepared containers, and places the completed orders for the final check by a pharmacist. Verifies the identification of the patient prior to releasing Prepares packages of completed prescriptions that are designated to be mailed Compounding Performs compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Follows protocol for personal protective equipment and hand hygiene. Inpatient Medication Management System After pharmacist review, prepares inpatient unit dose orders, delivering the proper medication or material in the proper strength, quantity and dosage to the appropriate inpatient unit Collects drug use evaluation data Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Assists in total quality improvement activities Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdates in patient care area automated machines. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas, relays information to Pharmacy personal. Notices any unusual requests for drugs/supplies and discusses with the pharmacist. Performs ward inspections of patient care areas. Conducts inspections of code carts and replenishes Inventory management and ordering of medicines. Ensures discharge medications used by inpatients are properly labeled Intravenous Therapy (IV) Prepares intravenous admixtures, excluding chemotherapy. Mixes ingredients, inspecting the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process and supplies the product for delivery to the patient care area after final check by a pharmacist. Uses standard protocols or judgment to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch Displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique. Anticoagulation Support for clinical operations of the Anticoagulation Clinic. Duties will be performed under the direct supervision of the assigned Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. Prepares anticoagulation work schedule for the day, stocks clinic supplies, and monitors clinic flow Obtains/assesses information on compliance, current warfarin dosage, medication changes, alcohol consumption, smoking, bleeding symptoms and general state of health. Initiates an electronic progress note in CPRS Reviews medication changes, adherence, and complications of therapy and reports findings Routinely monitors laboratory data. Evaluates INR stability, assesses etiology of INR's out of range Completes electronic progress notes, scheduling appointments, completing consults, and documenting data Work Schedule: M-F 8-4:30, variable, potential weekends/evenings Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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.) 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. 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. Grade Determinations: In 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 by an asterisk (*): (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Script Pro experience. Omnicell/automated dispensing cabinet experience. TCG-Rx/unit dose provision experience. IV preparation experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); light lifting (under 15 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; walking (2-4 hours); standing (2-4 hours)

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 Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Melissa Quilter
• Phone: 360-696-4061 X38599
• Email: [email protected]