Pharmacy Technicians are a vital component of medication distribution in the VA. Certified technicians with advanced medical & technical knowledge that function above the full performance level are highly integral to the Pharmacy Service. Pharmacy technicians at this level have a major impact on the operational aspects of the Pharmacy Service for providing timely, efficient, and accurate prescription filling and dispensing with minimal need of supervision.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Major duties include, but are not limited to: Accurately interprets, fills, and prepares prescriptions and medication orders with appropriate medications and or medical supplies. Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris creating optimal work areas. This requires cleaning of shelves, equipment, refrigerators, etc. Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP, and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound a-like, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids, and refrigerated items. Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received. Utilizes automated dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely to the supervisor as appropriate. Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt. Performs monthly inspections of assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon-to-expire drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements. Reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Assists in training, mentoring, and orientation of new staff technicians, interns, and students. Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff members. Understands and utilizes VA computer programs to support the pharmacy operations and processes. Work Schedule: Variable tours available with rotating shifts to include nights, weekends and holidays. 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. Functional Statement #: PD50536F / Pharmacy Technician Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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: (a)PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b)NHA as a ExCPT. English Language Proficiency. You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Grade Determinations: GS-07: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience includes 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 in the VA inpatient pharmacy. Experience using Robot RX. Experience stocking/using Pyxis machines. Experience using ScriptPro Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Light, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (3 hours), Pushing (3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Kneeling (1 hours), Repeated bending (1 hour), Both legs required, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement (specify) DVA Correctable to 20/40, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted)

Education

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]