The pharmacy technician is primarily assigned to the Outpatient 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 as delegated by a pharmacist.

Duties

Duties vary by grade. At the GS 6 full performance level of this assignment, the pharmacy technician is primarily assigned to the Outpatient 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 as delegated by a pharmacist. Duties will include: Provides telephone and consult triage and patient follow-up as assigned. Answers questions (via telephone, in-person, or consult) from patients, nurses, providers, and other medical center staff and refers complex or therapeutic questions to a pharmacist. Provides patient education via telephone on the medication refill process, the use of the automated telephone system, the use of the internet refill system and general information on the outpatient pharmacy such as hours of operation and types of pharmacy services available. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams. 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. Assists in training of peer technicians, residents, pharmacist and students. 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. 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 (i.e. including supplies) are maintained at all-times. Assists in necessary daily maintenance, loading, and documentation functions for automated dispensing equipment (i.e. Script-Pro). Is able to problem solve robotic dispensing issues and trouble shoot basic software or hardware issues. Refills automated dispensing equipment according to policy and assures that the product identification matches the drug file entry precisely. Checks-in prime vendor or direct orders and verifies factors such as drug amounts, strengths, dosage forms, and package sizes are accurate. Removes outdated, expired, or excess inventory for return or destruction. Checks all items for hazardous waste and disposes of them in the appropriate bins. Replenishes emergency crash cart medication trays with items needed according to standardized list. Serves as a back-up for controlled substance dispensing. Fills controlled substance prescriptions, completes record keeping and maintains accuracy of inventory reports. Receives faxed/mailed in prescriptions and refill requests. Examines prescriptions and refill requests against computer medication profiles for administrative irregularities and makes appropriate referrals to a pharmacist. Prepares prescriptions for final check by a pharmacist. Selects the correct medications/paperwork and counts the correct quantity when completed manually or using automated equipment when appropriate. Accurately and carefully applies labels to the prepared containers, and places the completed orders in trays or bags for the final check by a pharmacist. Work Schedule: M-F 08:00am - 04:30pm, Occasional weekends and holidays 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) 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. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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). 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. 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-3: (Entry level) Education and Experience: One year of post-secondary education. Transcript required. 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. Transcript required. GS-4: 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). Transcript required. 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. Transcript required. OR One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. GS-5: 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. Transcript required. OR (b) An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training). Transcript required with confer date. OR (c) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. GS-6 Education or Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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: Minimum 2 years as a licensed technician. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 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: Light lifting(under 15 pounds), Walking (4 hours), Standing (4 hours), Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted) Environmental Factors: Working closely with others, 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: Jinho Chu
• Phone: 253-582-8440 X75446
• Email: [email protected]