Pharmacy Technician
Duties to include but not limited to:
a. Provides telephone and consult triage and patient follow-up as assigned. b. 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. c. Provides patient education 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. d. 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 patients or patient's representative before releasing any medications or supplies. Addresses any remaining questions from the patient by either answering procedural questions directly or by referring therapeutic questions to the pharmacist. e. Accurately processes finished prescriptions for mail-out or pick-up. May dispense or deliver medications per the request of a pharmacist. f. Assists in necessary daily maintenance, loading, and documentation functions for automated dispensing equipment (e.g. ScriptPro). 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. g. Checks-in Prime Vendor or direct orders and verifies factors such as drug amounts, strengths, dosages, forms, and package sizes are accurate. Brings all deviations from an order (broken merchandise, outdated stock, partial shipment, etc.) to the attention of the Procurement Technician. Orders are unpacked, verified, and stocked. Makes sure that the traceability reports are completed for all received items. h. Receives incoming prescriptions and refill requests. Accurately gathers information needed to validate the prescription, identifying critical elements, and obtaining correct or missing information. i. Accurately performs computerized medication order-entry functions. j. 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, records required data, and places the completed orders in trays or bags for the final check by a pharmacist. k. Removes outdated expired, or excess inventory form return or destruction. Checks all items for hazardous waste and disposes of them in the appropriate bins. Completes monthly ward inspections and replenishes supply as instructed. l. All calls and Call Center consults in the queue are to be answered in a timely manner, accurately, and in a professional manner. Questions that are clinical in nature or require a pharmacist's interpretation, such as tablet/ capsule identification, are transferred to a pharmacist. m. Upon request accurately:
1) Marks CPRS renewal requests for provider's signature 2) Prints suspended prescriptions 3) Processes semi-automated Internet and telephone prescription requests from Veterans 4) Processes rejected prescriptions per pharmacy standard operating procedures. n. 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. o. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Also assists with collecting drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes when requested. p. Assists in training of peer technicians, residents, pharmacists, and students. q. Specialty Pharmacy Activities (When Assigned) 1) Pre-Packaging Activities 2) ACT Clinic Activities 3) Centralized Ward Stock Program r. Secondary Duties (20%) 1) Serves as a back-up for controlled substance dispensing. 2) Cross trained to Anticoagulation Management Clinic and/or RRU to assist the Clinical Pharmacy Technicians with telephone triage, data collection, and administrative functions. 3) Omnicell Automatic Dispensing Cabinets Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 0800-1630 Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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-06 (a) Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ( ):
(b) Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. (d) Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements:
Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling (up to 2 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 4 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13 to 16; Far Vision correctable in one eye to 10/10 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to read written material; Ability to distinguish basic colors (shades of colors); Hearing (aid permitted); emotional and mental stability; working around machinery with moving parts and working around moving objects or vehicles.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
a. Provides telephone and consult triage and patient follow-up as assigned. b. 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. c. Provides patient education 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. d. 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 patients or patient's representative before releasing any medications or supplies. Addresses any remaining questions from the patient by either answering procedural questions directly or by referring therapeutic questions to the pharmacist. e. Accurately processes finished prescriptions for mail-out or pick-up. May dispense or deliver medications per the request of a pharmacist. f. Assists in necessary daily maintenance, loading, and documentation functions for automated dispensing equipment (e.g. ScriptPro). 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. g. Checks-in Prime Vendor or direct orders and verifies factors such as drug amounts, strengths, dosages, forms, and package sizes are accurate. Brings all deviations from an order (broken merchandise, outdated stock, partial shipment, etc.) to the attention of the Procurement Technician. Orders are unpacked, verified, and stocked. Makes sure that the traceability reports are completed for all received items. h. Receives incoming prescriptions and refill requests. Accurately gathers information needed to validate the prescription, identifying critical elements, and obtaining correct or missing information. i. Accurately performs computerized medication order-entry functions. j. 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, records required data, and places the completed orders in trays or bags for the final check by a pharmacist. k. Removes outdated expired, or excess inventory form return or destruction. Checks all items for hazardous waste and disposes of them in the appropriate bins. Completes monthly ward inspections and replenishes supply as instructed. l. All calls and Call Center consults in the queue are to be answered in a timely manner, accurately, and in a professional manner. Questions that are clinical in nature or require a pharmacist's interpretation, such as tablet/ capsule identification, are transferred to a pharmacist. m. Upon request accurately:
1) Marks CPRS renewal requests for provider's signature 2) Prints suspended prescriptions 3) Processes semi-automated Internet and telephone prescription requests from Veterans 4) Processes rejected prescriptions per pharmacy standard operating procedures. n. 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. o. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Also assists with collecting drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes when requested. p. Assists in training of peer technicians, residents, pharmacists, and students. q. Specialty Pharmacy Activities (When Assigned) 1) Pre-Packaging Activities 2) ACT Clinic Activities 3) Centralized Ward Stock Program r. Secondary Duties (20%) 1) Serves as a back-up for controlled substance dispensing. 2) Cross trained to Anticoagulation Management Clinic and/or RRU to assist the Clinical Pharmacy Technicians with telephone triage, data collection, and administrative functions. 3) Omnicell Automatic Dispensing Cabinets Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 0800-1630 Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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-06 (a) Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ( ):
(b) Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. (d) Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements:
Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling (up to 2 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 4 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13 to 16; Far Vision correctable in one eye to 10/10 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to read written material; Ability to distinguish basic colors (shades of colors); Hearing (aid permitted); emotional and mental stability; working around machinery with moving parts and working around moving objects or vehicles.
- Department:
0661 Pharmacy Technician - Salary Range:
$38,921 to $50,598 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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