This position functions is for a pharmacy technician at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services within the pharmacy department. This position involves providing services related to inpatients and/or ambulatory patients. Pharmacy Technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions described below

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Pick up daily prescriptions left at mailbox outside building and at waiting area; opens and sort all mail prescriptions received and counts them for statistical purposes. Deals with patient's prescriptions delivery problem and medication claims through telephone and receiving window. Demonstrates computer system knowledge, to provide patient and/or his family and accurate information. Deals with Fee Basis prescriptions claims and co-payment claims. The incumbent must be knowledgeable of the policies and procedures of pharmacy regarding these services. Processes patient refill requests into computer by scanner or manually after evaluating patient medication profile in the computer and determining whether or not the refills are authorized. Files all prescription and refill request processed and medication dispensing copy by date. Automated Dispensing Machine (Optifill) Operation Performs Pharmacy Optifill Technician duties, as assigned at San Juan VA Medical Center in the Outpatient Pharmacy areas on emergency basis to cover leaves or annual vacation scheduled. Operates the Automated Prescription Filling Machine safely and efficiently. Performs the necessary checklist to power up and power down the machine. Performs normal maintenance of the machine, including changing ribbons on the two types of printers, changing labels and paper for the two types of printers, daily cleaning of the printers and the machine, itself. Manual Pick Station (Dispensing Area or Unit) The incumbent must retrieve all manual pick medications by scanning all totes direct to these stations. a. Through scanning process, reads and adhere medication label and determine the kind of strength and dosage of the drug and medical supplies, to be dispensed in an accurate and timely manner. Sets up prescription by counting correct amount of medication and pouring it m correct stock container. Release Units or Area Maintain all Check stations properly replenish of dispensing paper, address labels, shipping sack, paper bags. Verify that all printers are working properly. Release all prescriptions dispensed through scanner except medication not available and medical supplies. Delivery Window Area Delivers dispensed medications in and accurate, orderly, and timely manner, giving patient proper information in regard of his medications whenever required. Mailing Area Prepares and packs on shipping sacks and boxes all medication left at window for more than one day, to be send by mail. Technician must assure medications are packed adequately and secure on the proper size of shipping sack or appropriate box. Sends by mail all Back-Order prescriptions when medication is received. Medical Supplies Unit Dispenses medical and ostomy items by mail or by window upon the receiving of prescription. Maintains area of work in a neat, clean, and orderly manner so that supplies can be readily inventoried. Makes inventory of all medications and supplies and submits daily listing of out of stock items. Material Management Prepares all bulk compounds and labels limited quantities of complex products following the procedures for which there is a master formula card. Weight's chemicals use balances and volumetric measurement. Controlled Substances Reviews and screens prescriptions for completeness, ascertains that patient's full name, Social Security number and address are correct. Assures that medications prescribed follows established procedures such as: medications are formulary approved guidelines established are followed prescription is not missing strength, dosage instructions, quantity (in number and letter), physicians' signature, DEA number and date. Inventorying: Conducts regularly scheduled inventories (every 72 hours) and interacts with controlled substance inspection official (monthly basis). Reports any discrepancies or incidents to Pharmacist-In-Charge in a timely manner. Reports: Submits reports as required for statistical purposes Training Investigational Drugs Sterile Product Compounding Work Schedule: Wok Schedule: Main Schedule: Monday to Friday 3:00pm to 11:30pm and/or 11:00pm to 7:00am. Requires to work weekends, holidays and on-call. May require to work day shift: 7:00am to 3:30pm and/or 8:00am to 4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61268F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the 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: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 5, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates Pharmacy Technician, GS-03: Education and Experience. One year of post-secondary education. OR Six months of general experience. OR 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. 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. Pharmacy Technician, GS-04: Education and Experience. Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g., 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses). OR 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. 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 printers. Pharmacy Technician, GS-05: Education or Experience. 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. (a) Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations. In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (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: Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. 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. Selective Placement Factor Must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 November 07, 2023, PART II APPENDIX G2 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: : Physical requirements for this position are as follows: Light lifting, 15-25 pounds with occasional heavier lifting. Light carrying, 15-25 pounds with occasional heavier carrying. Straight pulling (up to 2 hours). Pushing (up to 2 hours). Reaching above shoulder. Use of fingers. Repeated bending. Walking (up to 8 hours). Standing (up to 8 hours). Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed.

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/.

Contacts

• Address San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Mireya Rodriguez-Perez
• Phone: 787-641-7582
• Email: [email protected]