Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services within the pharmacy department. This position involves providing services related to inpatients and/or ambulatory patients. The incumbent may be required to perform or rotate through some or all the functions; however, the relative percentages of time spent performing each specific function varies with the area of administrative assignment.

Duties

Major duties but not are limited to: Outpatient Section Telephone Care and Prescription Processing (Refill & Fee Basis) Area. 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. 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. Manual Pick Station (Dispensing Area or Unit) Technician must be familiar with: drug generic and trade names, system of weights and measures, basic pharmaceutical mathematics calculation, controlled substances classification, controls, delivery procedures and medical supplies nomenclatures. 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. Mai ling 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. ends by mail all Back-Order prescriptions when medication is received. Performs monthly inspection of areas. Removes outdated, excess, or deteriorated items. Performs other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor or pharmacist in charge. 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. Material Management Prepares all bulk compounds and labels limited quantities of complex products following the procedures for which there is a master formula card. 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 . Attends patient's claims by telephone regarding status of their medications. . Receiving, storing, and prepackaging: Maintains area in a neat, clean, and orderly fashion so that supplies can be readily inventoried. Prevents excesses from accumulating and reviews stock that is no longer required. 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 On a quarterly basis submits Quality Improvement reports of drugs most associated with waste, fraud and abuse. Training Provides controlled substance training for technicians, phamacists, inspectors, and student, etc. Investigational Drugs Requires a working knowledge of principles relating to investigational drugs, investigational protocols and the requirements of the FDA relating to investigational drugs. Must have a basic knowledge of research and research methods. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 11:00 pm to 7:00am and/or 3:30pm to 11:00pm. Requires to work weekends, holidays and on-call. May require to work day shift: 7:00am to 3:30pm and/or 8: 00am 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

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. (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. 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) 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-03. Education and Experience. (a) One year of post-secondary education. OR (b) Six months of general experience. OR (c) 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. GS-04. 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). 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. OR One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level. In addition to the education or experience 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. GS-05. (1) 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. 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. In addition to the education or experience above the following 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-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. Certification: PTCB Certification is required for positions above the full performance level. 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-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: : The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged time period of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighting up to 40 lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, and bending/stooping.

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]