This position for Pharmacy Technician functions within the Pharmacy under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. They are assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments and higher complexity assignments. The Pharmacy Technician supports the mission of the VA Medical Center to assure safe, effective, and medically necessary use of medications by Veterans by performing packaging, manipulative, repetitive, and other non-discretionary tasks.

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 Provides telephone and consult triage and patient follow-up as assigned. Answers questions from patients, nurses, providers, and other medical center staff and refers complex or therapeutic questions to a pharmacist. Accurately completes Call Center consults in a timely manner. Accurately fills finished prescriptions for mail-out or pick-up. Prioritizes operational and assigned clinical functions to provide the highest quality of patient care. Works to troubleshoot and solve operational problems and immediately refers to the pharmacist for supervisor for appropriate action. The technician will bring discrepancies and work that cannot be moved forward same-day to the attention of a pharmacist for troubleshooting, resolution, or reassignment. Provides patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist. Counsels patients on correct medication ordering techniques and medical center policies and procedures. Performs duties as a Team Leader for specific process improvement teams. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams. Continually seeks to improve services. Also, assists with collecting drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes when requested. Applies safe handling precautions when working with hazardous medicines consistent with Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) recommendations. When stationed at the outpatient window, greets the patient or staff member with a helpful and positive attitude. Answers questions presented and/or seeks assistance as required. Verifies the correct identity of the patient or patient's representative before releasing any medications or supplies. Addresses any remaining questions from the patient by either answering procedural questions directly or by referring therapeutic questions to a pharmacist. Assists in cross training of peer technicians, residents, volunteers and work-study students. Actively participates in departmental medical center training programs. Keeps technically current in pharmacy and medicine by self-instruction and routine attendance at conferences and seminars to ensure that the professional obligations of this service are met. Technician must also keep informed of technical pharmacy standards and administrative directives that affect their position. Supports and ensures that department and medical center policies, procedures, guidelines, government regulations, and Professional/Technical Standards concerning drug control, drug security and drug accountability are maintained at all-times. First line communication between the service and patient, nurse and/or medical staff to service patients' needs either in person or over the telephone. Attitude, conduct, appearance and work performance of the technician will contribute positively to the successful operation and efficiency of the department. Specialty pharmacy areas include: Automation, inventory management, controlled substances, processing prescriptions, compounding, inpatient medication management system, intravenous therapy (IV), and anticoagulation. Work Schedule: 8AM -4:30PM, Monday - Friday with occasional nights and weekends Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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 #: 0000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (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. References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G28 EFFECTIVE DATE: November 07, 2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), light lifting (under 15 lbs.), walking, standing, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include working closely with others and working alone.

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 Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Gabriel Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X53014
• Email: [email protected]