The primary duties of this position are performed in the outpatient pharmacy area of the pharmacy department/program and the purpose of this position is to improve patient satisfaction with the outpatient pharmacy prescription pick-up process. The incumbent is a highly specialized, efficient, motivated and customer friendly technician, who, under the authority of the Chief, Pharmacy Service, is responsible for the technical and appropriate clinical management of patient care.

Duties

The incumbent is expected to maintain a high degree of accurate productivity and performance while being extremely sensitive to the specific contribution to total patient care. The incumbent is expected to accomplish all duties as assigned normally performed by both general and specialized technicians (GS-661-5/6/7) related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, prescription set-ups, IV and hazardous drug compounding, controlled substances dispensing and monitoring, telephone care, as well as unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, and distribution. Specialized duties, in addition to the generalized duties, include, but are not limited to the following: Typical duties include, but are not limited to: Customer Service Works primarily in the outpatient pharmacy waiting area, assisting patients entering the outpatient pharmacy waiting area to facilitate timely and accurate delivery of prescriptions medication. Follows- through to provider as appropriate if orders are not entered into CPRS. Answers patient inquiries related to process questions. Refers clinical and other judgmental questions beyond their scope to a supervising pharmacist (or designee) as necessary. Documents all patient interactions using local determined method. Provides patient education on the medication refill process, the use of automated telephone system, the use of the internet refill system and general information on outpatient pharmacy process to ensure patient centered program. Follows-through on all prescription problems promptly in person or by phone or CPRS progress note to the provider to avoid patients being out of medications This may include coordinating overnight deliveries to veterans who need medication immediately. Reviews unopened returned FedEx, UPS or US Postal Service mail returned as undeliverable as required. Contacts patient at home to verify correct address, changes package address and re-mails packages if appropriate. Assists other technicians in scanning refill documents mailed in by patients on a daily basis as required as well as requests made in person by veterans. Assures these are scanned the day they are received by pharmacy. Monitors the outpatient pharmacy to ensure that all telephone and internet refills are processed multiple times per day, but, minimally immediately before leaving at the end of the tour so that all refills requests will be transmitted to CMOP promptly.' Monitors the Audio FAX telephone refill and MyHealtheVet Internet refill systems routinely to assure continuous operation. Notifies IT immediately upon discovery of malfunction of this system and assures follow-through to successful operation of the system. Treats all patient contacts with respect and diligence. Seeks to solve patient problems including referring to other VA resources when needed. Resolves patient issues in a timely and caring manner at all times. Assists the pharmacist supervisor with compilation of data for workload statistics and analysis to detect problems with outpatient pharmacy prescription pick-up process. Assists in data collection and analysis of the any and all patient care survey for reviewing patient satisfaction. Interacts with Patient Care Advocates as appropriate to meet the needs of the veterans. Education and Personal Competence Maintain competence by participating in staff development programs. Provides in-service programs for the training of pharmacy technicians as assigned. Successfully completes annual competency certifications based on specific activities/clinical functions assigned. Work Schedule: 8-hour shift between the hours of 6:00am-6:00pm, with rotating weekend, holiday, evening, night hours when required. Compressed/Flexible:Not available. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53370F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified applicants. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. NOTIFICATIONS: This position is in the AFGE bargaining unit. This position is covered by a special salary rate. You must include VA form 10-2850c in your application package to be considered for this vacancy.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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. 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. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Grade Determinations: GS-7 (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) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities *1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician qualification standard. Physical Requirements: The position requires frequent walking and standing; repeated bending; moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); the ability to read handwritten or typed characters with or without glasses; ability to hear conversation voice with or without aid; and emotional and mental stability.

Education

There is no educational substitution.

Contacts

• Address Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: James Brinson
• Email: [email protected]