Summary

The primary functions will be technical support functions in the Outpatient pharmacy operations. He/she applies judgment based on substantial experience in pharmacy and carries out the full range of technical support functions in the pharmacy. This will be filling orders in Outpatient pharmacy for window pick up or for mail out and helping patients at the window. He/she maintains continual national certification from Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

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
• 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)
• 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: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) OR National Health-Career Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• 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)
• 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 - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• 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
• Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician - GS-07
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next grade level GS-06
• Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-06
• Experience includes filling orders - dispensing/delivering medications using automated systems - delivery of medications - filling medications for the pharmacist to review - checking for expired medications - answering phones with appropriate disposition - preparing sterile products and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be stored
• 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
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005/159 - Part II - Appendix G28
• Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards dated November 07 - 2023
• 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: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion - involving standing/sitting for prolonged periods of time - lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds - and bending/stooping
• The work may entail repetitive wrist movement while using various size syringes - vial cap removal - and typing.

Duties

• Major duties include but not limited to: Utilizes knowledge of VHA - DURVAHCS and Pharmacy Service regulations and policies concerning pharmaceutical practices in performing day to day functions
• Receives and interprets outpatient orders - obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form
• determines proper amount and counts - pours - or measures the medications
• affixes proper label to be checked by a pharmacist before dispensing
• Dispenses medication through the outpatient pharmacy window using two patients' identifiers and document patient or patient designee signature for picking up prescription in the ScriptPro
• Selects/prepares medications in proper dosage sizes - forms and quantities to be checked by a clinical pharmacist before dispensing
• Fills back-order prescriptions and mail order prescriptions as necessary
• Informs procurement technician or supervisor of stock shortages
• Conducts ward inspections by inspecting clinics and ward areas for proper storage of medications and documents findings on inspection report form
• Uses specialized equipment to package and/or dispense medications and provides required equipment maintenance
• Serves as an effective preceptor/instructor for trainees (students - technicians - volunteers) conducting on-the-job training - orientation and in-services
• Triages patient/medical center employees' inquiries
• Responds appropriately to inquiries from professional staff - patients - and outside parties - other health care professionals - and refers professional-technical questions received to clinical pharmacists
• Operates - maintains - and troubleshoots automated equipment
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - Rotating shifts between 7:00am-6:30p - overlapping shift assignment - weekends and Federal holidays are to be expected as needed to serve Urgent Care
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized