Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. The incumbent is expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding, unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices.

Duties

FUNCTIONS: Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification. Inpatient Pharmacy Activities: 1.Sterile Product Compounding These functions will be supported assisting in or the absence of the sterile compounding technician (i.e., after hours, weekends, and leave). a. Follow USP 797/800 Guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparations, including ophthalmic, cardioplegic, TPN, hazardous, large & small volume IV solutions, PCAs, etc. Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or other as required. b. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and supplies the product for pharmacist verification and delivery. c. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. d. Consistently displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and/or actual work performance. (1) Follows proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding sterile products. (2) Appropriately maintains all quality assurance records in accordance with regulatory requirements. IV. Unit Dose Medication Management a. Performs review of medications prepared by another pharmacy employee to be dispensed to hospital areas. b. Inventories and replenishes emergency trays. c. Operates and maintains automated dispensing unit dose systems. d. Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability before submitting for final check, prior to distribution to hospital areas. e. Assures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards and attains a final review by a pharmacist. f. Maintains repackaging records that assures all regulatory and review standards are met. g. Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems as they occur and coordinates resolution of more involved mechanical or software problems with Supervisor, vendor help desk, ADPAC, etc. as appropriate. V. Automatic Replenishment/Ward Stock a. Correctly inventories, assesses, and determines the need for floor stock and external medication. b. Follows established policies and procedures, schedules, inventory levels, and usage rate reports to determine appropriate stock levels for specific areas of use. c. Accurately fills prescription items for wards using Automatic Replenishment reports. d. Performs and documents an inspection of assigned hospital areas for medication storage. Removes all expired and deteriorated drugs from the automated dispensing stations, stocks shelves, and the unit dose automated dispensing systems. e. Assures that each area that is inspected meets established standards for appropriate drug storage conditions including drug security for inspection and accreditation. Outpatient Pharmacy Activities When assigned: 1. Prescription Assembly a. Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels. for window dispensing and mail delivery b. Assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles. c. Supports automation by manually completing prescriptions not processed through the automation dispensing machine. d. Assures the timely completion of all prescriptions. 2. Window Pick-Up a. Verifies the patient's identification following the Medical Center's policies (i.e., double patient identifiers) b. Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions by using VA software (i.e., VISTA and barcode scanning) c. Verifies that the patient has received all prescriptions (i.e., refrigerated, controlled substances, bulk medications, etc.) 3. Mail Packaging a. Utilizes and comprehends the mail shipping programs used by the facility (i.e., USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.) for overnight delivery of non-controlled and controlled prescriptions. b. Performs searches, updates patient information, and generates shipping reports as requested by the supervisor. c. Calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verifies patients address. d. Packages prescriptions appropriately, as to assure that packages are not damaged within transit (i.e., bubble wrap, ice blocks, insulated containers, etc.) e. Utilizes VA software programs to check narratives and problem solve deliveries for patients with no physical address. Work Schedule: 7:00 AM-3:30 PM (Working every other weekend, Saturday and Sunday). Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 688-24092-F 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. 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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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. 1. Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 2. 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. 3. 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. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening, as a condition of employment. Lifting/carrying up to 44 lbs.; Standing; Sitting; Walking; Kneeling; Bending/Stooping; Twisting; Pushing/pulling, Both legs required; Simple grasping; Use of fingers, Both hands required; Fine manipulation (includes keyboarding); Reaching above shoulders; Near vision correctable at 1316" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correction in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing whispered voice (with or without aid); Emotional/mental stability; Walking on slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working with hands in water; Working closely with others; and Protracted or irregular hours of work. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work is performed in the Pharmacy Service, in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Work is performed primarily in a patient care setting; adequately lighted, temperature controlled, and ventilated. Office temperatures fluctuate periodically; involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as clinics, offices, meeting and training rooms or libraries; exposure to noise and dust on occasion. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The work is performed in an environment with variable room temperatures where air circulation is not ideal. The telephone rings frequently. Incumbent is responsible for general orderliness and cleanliness of the work environment. Participates in monthly and annual inventory of pharmacy as required. Rotates with other technicians as needed for coverage of evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

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 Washington VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20422 US
• Name: Carla Joyner
• Phone: 1-832-316-9423
• Email: [email protected]