The duties of this position are performed in the Narcotic and Controlled Substance storage areas of Inpatient/Outpatient Pharmacy Section, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), Pharmacy Service. The incumbent is a highly specialized technician, who, under the authority of the Chief, Pharmacy Service, is responsible for the management of narcotics and controlled substances handled by the pharmacy.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following: a. Prepare, fill and dispense controlled substance according to policies and procedures. Prepares and prepacks controlled substances in suitable quantities and containers. b. Reviews each controlled substance and narcotic prescription for policy compliance regarding but not limited to, Joint Commission Standards, nonformulary or restricted prescriber authority, diagnosis, quantity limitations, all required aspects of a controlled substance prescription. Assures compliance with policies prior to completions of order/prescription. c. Conducts regularly scheduled inventories every 72 hours and daily if needed according to regulations and policies. d. Assures accountability on all VAF2577s and distributes per TVHS policy. e. Conducts a full inventory and reconciliation as required as well as preparing reports as outlined by Pharmacy policy and accompanying the monthly, quarterly and annual inspections. f. Assists the Controlled Substance Compliance Inspectors to complete the monthly inspections. g. Effectively coordinates, manages, completes, and documents the purchasing of all prescription and non-prescription drug products and supplies by maintaining a comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. h. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated CS medications from stock - including inpatient wards, inpatient/outpatient storage cabinets, vaults. i. Maintains accurate dispensing records and electronic inventory through decrementing prescriptions, entering received inventory, transferring to automated dispensing cabinets, dispensing on green sheets, and transferring to other dispensing vaults. j. Follows policies and procedures for handling the destruction and return of controlled substance medication. k. Works with pharmacy procurement personnel by providing information regarding medications and supplies needed from the warehouse or wholesaler based on items used. l. Assists, reviews, and makes recommendation in inventory control of controlled substances, including turn rates are within acceptable range. m. Monitors, analyzes orders, and usage/distribution patterns for questionable circumstances or unusual trends, Communicates potential problems to Pharmacy Manager. n. Provides training for pharmacists, interns, technicians, inspectors, students, and others in controlled substance accountability procedures. o. Prepares, operates, restocks, and maintains complex automated dispensing cabinets and all necessary equipment supporting pharmaceutical patient care functions. p. Maintains file of hard copy of hand-written CII-V prescriptions. Files documents in a retrievable and organized manner as prescribed. q. Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing reports and contacting appropriate persons when needed. Reports discrepancies to pharmacy supervisor. r. Ensures all controlled substances procedures abide by all local requirements, VISN, OIG and VHA handbook expectations and requirements, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, VACO directives, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requirements, appropriate inventory management practices, and other state and local requirements. s. Maintains security of controlled substances by controlling access to storage areas, and by ensuring that controlled substances are always kept in the locked, supervised area, specifically designated for controlled substance storage. t. Receives, records and processes returned CMOP/FedEX/UPS/USPS non-deliverable mail in compliance with all OIG/VISN/SOARS expectations/requirements, Joint Commission standards, VACO directives, DEA requirements. u. Maintains inventory and review of all Pharmaceutical Cache Narcotics as per TVHS policy. v. Proficient with aspects of Pharmacy-related computerization, internal and external to VA processing, Familiar with all computer equipment, both hardware and software, and be able to solve any minor problems associated with their use. In addition to all VA required computer packages interfacing in this area of practice, must be familiar with all Pharmacy-related automation systems and their complete operations and maintenance, e.g., Pyxis, CII Safe, PharmoPack, ScripPro, ScipTalk, etc. w. Assures all required daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly required reports are run, reviewed, and all required action taken and documented in a timely manner as required by Pharmacy Service Policy and procedures. Work Schedule: To be determined. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70366-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Education or Experience. (1) None required. (2) 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: 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 for the GS-08: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). And demonstrate the KSA's listed below. (A) Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section. (B) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. (C) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion including walking, bending, prolonged standing, stooping, lifting and carrying packages weighing up to 40 pounds. Dexterity is required for the operation of Pharmacy equipment.

Education

Not applicable.

Contacts

• Address Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville 1310 24th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 US
• Name: Starshemac Simmons
• Phone: (919)-761-0932
• Email: [email protected]