Pharmacy Technicians (dependent upon level) fill orders and dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs.

Duties

Major duties of the Pharmacy Technician at the full performance level (GS-06) include: 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 or documents required data in the automated dispensing machine/robot. Provides customer service concerning patient eligibility, prescription status, medication availability, co-payment charges and mailing status. Processes refill requests and verified prescriptions for mailing. Enters new and refill prescription data which may include correct drug, strength, dosage form, and quantity into the patient's medication profile (VistA or otherwise). Answers all questions within their level of expertise from Pharmacy and non-Pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution (e.g. drugs in stock, new drugs on order, formulary drugs, dosage forms available, etc.). Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy, patient allergy interactions/contraindications, formulary adherence, quantity errors and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Monitors inventory needs in Pharmacy areas, relays this information to the Procurement Pharmacist/Technician. Conducts monthly ward inspection of assigned patient care/Pharmacy storage areas assuring proper storage (including temperature and humidity), stock, cleanliness and drug expiration. Operates, maintains, fills/refills, and troubleshoots complicated, specialized or automated Pharmacy equipment. Assist in drug accountability through the proper use of the Pharmacy inventory management system. Repackages bulk items such as tablets, capsules, liquids, ointments, etc. into specified quantities and various size containers. Opens and separates mail, which contains cash, checks and refill requests. Fills prescriptions, drug packages and supplies for distribution to wards, clinics and affiliated services which are checked by a pharmacist. Prepares prescriptions (controlled substances and non-controlled substances) for mailing through contract carriers, USPS, and finalizes processing through the latest mail label tracking software. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in Medical Center and Pharmacy Service process assessment and action teams, and continually seeks to improve services by following local policies and procedures that assures compliance with all VA/VHA, FDA, DEA, TJC, OIG, or other governing body's recommendations and regulations. Assists with training of technicians, student technicians, and pharmacy students. Prepares, handles and has knowledge of investigational drugs and their policies and procedures. Reads and interprets controlled substance or narcotic 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 or documents required data in the automated dispensing machine/robot. When assigned, technician may be involved in all facets of unit dose distribution system. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians and other duties as assigned, if required. When handling Hazardous Drugs, will follow facility policies and procedures to maintain compliance with USP 800. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Rotating Shifts: 8:00am - 4:30pm, 8:30am-5:00pm, 9:00am - 5:30pm, or 10:00am - 6:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not 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 by the closing date of this announcement, 03/20/2024 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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English 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). Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-03. (1) Education and Experience. (a) One year of post-secondary education. OR (b) Six months of general experience. OR (c) Student Technician. A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time, part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individual's program. Pharmacy Technician, GS-04. (1) Education and Experience. (a) Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g., 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses). OR (b) Completion of one of the following: Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. American Society of Health System Pharmacists® (ASHP), American Pharmacist Association (APHA), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs. NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are not actual certifications. OR One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level, GS-3, Reference, GS-3 Assignment: Employees at the entry-level are developmental trainees. The pharmacy technician trainee is performing routine pharmacy duties under direct supervision of higher graded technicians to learn the basic functions of pharmacy operations. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to follow policies and procedures. (b) Ability to maintain appropriate files. (c) Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals. (d) Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions. (e) Ability to operate office software/equipment to include, computers, software applications and print Pharmacy Technician, GS-05. (1) Education or Experience. (a) Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g., 48 semester hours of science, mathematics, pharmacy) or a bachelor's degree. OR (b) An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training). OR (c) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-4, Reference, GS-4 Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician developmental position. Pharmacy technicians at this level perform duties such as dispensing prescriptions at the pharmacy window and prepacking medications. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations. (b) Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas. (c) Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical and proprietary names of drug). (d) Ability to fill prescriptions. (e) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight. Pharmacy Technician, GS-06. (1) Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, GS-5, Reference, GS-5 Assignment: Pharmacy technicians at this developmental level perform all duties expected of employees at lower grade levels; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgement, require less supervision and operate in accordance with all established policies and procedures. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level will fill orders and dispense/ deliver medications using automated systems. These technicians require oversight of assigned duties by full performance level technicians and or pharmacists. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. (b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. Preferred Experience: PTCB Certification Previous VA experience Experience working in a hospital pharmacy Experience working in a retail pharmacy References: VA Handbook 5005/159, Part II, Appendix G28 dated November 7, 2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. (Moderate Lifting/carrying, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Walking (2 hours); Standing (8 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Emotional/mental stability; Typing & computer use

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the U.S. Department of Education website DAPIP | Homepage (ed.gov), you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]