This position is for a trained pharmacy technician in the VA system at the MVAHS. The incumbent will perform a variety of complex technical skills and functions which requires comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practices. The employee will assists the pharmacist, in providing optimal care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision and goals of the MVAHS and Pharmacy Service.

Duties

Pharmacy technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions including filling outpatient prescriptions and filling inpatient unit dose medication orders, but are not limited to: 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 d. Checks for outdated medications and supplies in the current inventory that expires within ninety (90) days. 4.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-email, 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: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm including minimal weekends rotations. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may 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. Education. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (proof of graduation or equivalent required) or at least 3 months of 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. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship the full-time work week. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Preferred Experience: Experience in a hospital pharmacy setting is preferred, but not required. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. GRANDFATHERING PROVISION: All persons employed in VHA as a Pharmacy Technician on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the Pharmacy Technician occupation. Please read the requirements section of the announcement for further information. Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Grade Determinations:GS-2: (Entry Level)Experience: None beyond the basic requirement. Grade Determinations: GS-3: Education or Experience: Completion of 1 year of post-high school course work related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field(licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.).In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to maintain appropriate files 2.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision 3.Ability to communicate with patients and other health profession Grade Determination: GS-4: Education or Experience: Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision 2.Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment 3.Ability to operate pharmacy information systems 4.Ability to maintain appropriate files 5.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision Grade Determination GS-5: Education or Experience. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment 2.Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique 3.Knowledge of basic inventory procedures 4.Knowledge of pharmacy information systems References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated March 2006. Reference is available in the local Human Resources Office. 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). Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Technician Board Certification The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5.

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]