Pharmacy Technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB as a CPhT or NHA as a ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgment to perform a full range of duties. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the VCB VA Healthcare System and Pharmacy.

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 General

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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). 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: GS-7 Experience - Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) and demonstrate the KSAs below. GS-7 KSAs - You must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and or Abilities. (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. Creditable Experience - To be creditable, a candidate must possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. The candidate's experience must be evidenced by active professional practice. (Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional pharmacy technician.) For reference, GS-6 Assignment: Pharmacy technicians at the full performance level may fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered. Preferred Experience: Experience to receive, read, sort, and interpret prescriptions and determine kind, strength, and dosage of drugs to be dispensed. Can correlate instructions on the prescription with Pharmacy Policy. Experience to generate labels and process prescriptions by obtaining correct stock, counting, or measuring correct amount of medication Comprehensive knowledge of pharmacy automation and computer systems and ability to successfully operate and maintain pharmacy equipment. - normal to the operation (general office equipment, packaging, and mail processing equipment, pharmaceutical: electronic counters, scales, repackaging machines, and maintain work in a clean, neat orderly manner Ability to communicate orally and in writing to offer non-clinical information to clinical staff and patients in a friendly and courteous manner Possess clerical skills required for automatic data processing (ADP) prescription information entry, collating prescriptions or refill documents with ADP labels generated, record storage and retrieval Must demonstrate ability to adjust to change or work pressure in a pleasant manner; handle differences of opinion in a businesslike fashion; follow instructions conscientiously; and function as a team member, helping the group effort where possible References: VA Handbook 5005/159, Appendix G28, dated November 7, 2023. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15 - 44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15 - 44 pounds; Straight pulling up to 1 hour; Pushing up to 1 hour; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking up to 4 hours; Standing up to 3 hours; Repeated bending up to 2 hours; Use of both legs; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Vision correctable with eye ware; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish colors; Ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

Education above high school may not be counted towards qualification for this position at the GS-7 level. High school education may only be counted towards meeting the basic requirements for this position.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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

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 TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]