The Pharmacy Technician works in outpatient care areas within the Northern California Health Care System. This position handles day to day operations of the outpatient pharmacy including filling prescriptions, inventory management, ward inspections, answering questions regarding drug distribution, running reports, and supporting inter-service tasks (outpatient operations).

Duties

This position functions in the Pharmacy Service and the outpatient care areas within the Northern California Health Care System: Chico, Martinez, Mather, McClellan, and Redding. This position handles day to day operations of the outpatient pharmacy including filling prescriptions, inventory management, ward inspections, answering questions regarding drug distribution, narcotic returns in the absence of the Pharmacy Vault Technician, destruction, running reports, and supporting inter-service tasks (inpatient operations). Duties include but are not limited to: Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. Possesses proficient clerical skills required for automatic data processing (ADP), prescription information entry, collating prescriptions or refill documents with ADP labels generated, record storage and retrieval. Assists with inventory management. Orders inventory needs during procurement technician absence. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Operates and maintains complex pharmacy dispensing equipment. Conducts monthly ward inspections of outpatient primary care areas. Monitors inventory needs in patient care areas, relays this information to the appropriate Pharmacy personal. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Maintains currency with all mandatory training/education competencies. Assists patients with telephone care pharmacy applications including patient orientation to the application. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Provides patient education on pharmacy topics such as the refill request process, drug information sheets, while referring judgmental questions to the pharmacist. Assists with narcotic vault inspections and the processing of controlled substance returns and destructions. Performs tests and reports on laminar hood sterility to pharmacy supervisor and pharmacy quality assurance coordinator. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in Medical Center and Service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas such as inpatient pharmacy to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. However, primary assignments of work schedule and tours would involve outpatient pharmacy services. Performs other duties as assigned by the direct supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. 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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Physical Requirements. Required to undergo a pre-employment physical. Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation 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 licensure/certification /registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance Journey level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-6 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. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. 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: At least two years of outpatient setting experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28, MARCH 17, 2006 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06 Physical Demands: The work requires standing, walking for short periods of time, light carrying and lifting under 50 pounds; bending, reaching, and stooping. The work also involves working around machinery with moving parts and working closely with others. Both eyes required (Glasses Okay), Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors and distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted).

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 VA Northern California Health Care System 10535 Hospital Way Mather, CA 95655 US
• Name: Marisella Souza
• Phone: 925-356-4088
• Email: [email protected]