The incumbent will assist the Pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision and goals of the St. Cloud VA Health Care System and Pharmacy. Roles will be primarily Outpatient or Inpatient in nature, but will have ability to cross-cover. Pharmacy Technicians at this level can mentor and train lower grade Technicians in the practice setting.

Duties

General Accurately interprets, fills and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for Pharmacist verification. Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look-alike/sound-alike, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids and refrigerated items. Receives, checks, rotates and places in stock all items received from Pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received. Utilizes automated dispensing equipment available to the Pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely to the supervisor, as appropriate. Records expiration dates in the automated prescription dispensing system upon receipt. Performs monthly inspections of assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon-to-be-expired drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory compliance. Answers questions from Pharmacy and non-Pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class, and alerts the Pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Assists in training and orientation of new staff Technicians, interns and students. Assumes an active role in the overall Pharmacy training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents and professional and non-professional staff members. Participates in performance improvement initiatives in Pharmacy. Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams as assigned. Controlled Substance Activities These functions will be in support of or in the absence of the Controlled Substance Technician: Accurately interprets, fills and readies controlled substance prescriptions with appropriate medications for Pharmacist verification. Appropriately restocks controlled substance items in automated medication dispensing systems (AMDS) in Pharmacy and throughout the Medical Center. Ensures that proper handoff occurs when receiving or delivering controlled substances, assuring that controlled substances are never left unsecured. Reports unresolvable discrepancies to immediate area supervisor for resolution. Assists in investigating, witnessing and resolving discrepancies. Assists inspectors with the inventory and accountability inspections Inpatient Pharmacy Activities Operates and maintains automated dispensing unit dose systems. Assures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards. Troubleshoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems as they occur and coordinates resolution of more involved mechanical or software problems with supervisor, vendor help desk, ADPAC, etc. as appropriate. Assures that each area that is inspected meets established standards for appropriate drug storage conditions, including drug security. These functions will be in support of or in the absence of the Sterile Compounding Technician: Follow USP/ guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparations. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process and supplies the product for Pharmacist verification and delivery. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each product prepared. Consistently displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and actual work performance. Follows proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding sterile products. Appropriately maintains all quality assurance records in accordance with regulatory requirements. Outpatient Pharmacy Activities Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels and prescription labels for window dispensing and mail delivery. Supports automation by manually completing prescriptions not processed through the automated dispensing machine. Verifies patient's identification following the Medical Center policies during order dispensing. Utilizes and comprehends the mail shipping programs used by the facility for overnight delivery of non-controlled and controlled medications. Packages prescriptions appropriately to assure that packages are not damaged during transit. Work Schedule: Administrative Days Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: None Required. 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. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-7 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6), which includes, but know limited to: Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice; Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation; Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment; Knowledge of basic inventory procedures; and Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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: Breeze Hennes
• Phone: (320) 252-1670 X5222
• Email: [email protected]