The pharmacy technician serves as the subject matter expert in medication dispensing to the all areas of the medical center. This is above the full performance level for Pharmacy technicians. Employees at this grade level serve as pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures and require minimal supervision.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf The pharmacy technician serves as the subject matter expert in medication dispensing to the all areas of the medical center. This is above the full performance level for Pharmacy technicians. Employees at this grade level serve as pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures and require minimal supervision. Functions will include but not be limited to dispensing of medications, compounding IV, chemotherapy, biologics, hazardous and non-hazardous medications according to the most recent guidelines, stocking and restocking of automated dispensing cabinets and other ward stock areas, maintaining quality control practices and assigned quality control inspections, training of fellow staff, and other duties as assigned. Reads and interprets Pharmacy orders (unit dose, compounded sterile products, outpatient medications, clinic orders), obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, withdraws or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on pharmacy's copy of order. Performs final review of emergency code carts (prepared by another technician) and/or inventories and replenishes emergency code carts independently. Provides customer service concerning patient eligibility, prescription status, medication availability, co-payment charges and mailing status. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Processes refill requests and verified prescriptions for mailing. Operates, maintains, fills/refills, and troubleshoots complicated, specialized or automated Pharmacy equipment. Reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). After pharmacy order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Enters new and refill prescription data which may include correct drug, strength, dosage form, and quantity into the patient's medication profile. 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.). Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in Medical Center and Service process assessment and action teams, and continually seeks to improve services by following local policies and procedures that assures compliance with all VA, FDA, DEA, TJC, OIG, and other governing body's recommendations and regulations. Conducts monthly ward inspection of assigned patient care / Pharmacy storage areas assuring proper storage (including temperature and humidity), stock, cleanliness and drug expiration. Maintains, verifies, stocks, removes and replaces outdates in patient care areas including the automated dispensing cabinets (may include controlled substances when assigned). Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; rotating work hours: 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit position

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/25/2024 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-07 Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: IV Certification Previous VA experience Experience working in a hospital pharmacy IV Chemotherapy certified References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard Dated 11/07/2023. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. 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. Walking, standing, light lifting, and carrying, may be required to perform some of the functions of this position.

Education

There is no education substitution at this grade level.

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]