Pharmacy Technician
The major duties of the Pharmacy Technician will include:
a. Automation 1. Coordinates the technical aspect of Outpatient Pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are in alignment with automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized. Incumbent is instrumental in recommending and implementing changes for the improvement of the workflow, work methods and priorities involved within the drug distribution system. 2. Serves as the automation expert receiving minimal guidance on the technical aspects of the automation. Demonstrates critical systems thinking in automation implementation and process improvement initiatives. 3. Ensures that adequate off-line inventory levels of prepackaged medication packaged through automation are maintained. 4. Coordinates deliveries to automated dispensing machines managed by the outpatient pharmacy. 5. Assists the procurement technicians by scanning the automated dispensing system supply bins to order inventory. Adds new and deletes obsolete pharmaceutical products to maintain current inventory in the automated dispensing systems. 6. Runs, reviews, and maintains automation reports for ongoing quality assurance and for biannual review, and maintains automated equipment user files. 7. Resolves problems and complaints regarding Outpatient Pharmacy automation. Troubleshoots problems regarding automation, equipment, software, and hardware when production is compromised, alerts appropriate personnel, and actively participates in resolution. Works directly with the vendor's technical and clinical support, Pharmacy, and Medical Center OI&T to troubleshoot and resolve issues and maximize utilization. 8. Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained according to manufacturer recommendations and local policies and procedures to minimize downtime. 9. Trains and orients Pharmacy Staff, and other Medical Center staff involved in operating the automation equipment and provides them with access to needed software and hardware as appropriate. 10. Collaborates with the other automation pharmacy technician, Information Pharmacist, and other pharmacy employees to maximize the efficient and safe utilization of automation. 11. Works directly with other health care services locally as well as VISN and VHA employees and services to maximize utilization of the automation equipment 12. Actively participates in the writing, updating, training, and implementation of facility policy and procedure pertaining to automation equipment. b. Prevention and Management of Medication Errors and Adverse Drug Events 1. Inspects assigned ward stock areas in accordance with facility policy and procedure. 2. Accurately and efficiently prepacks medications when required assigning correct lot numbers and expiration dates and accurately recording information. 3. Accurately prepares non-sterile compounded preparations, following facility policy and procedure, standardized formulas, and appropriate calculations. 4. Adds medications and supplies to pharmacy inventory and ward stock areas by rotating stock and stocking items in appropriate locations within a reasonable time after receipt. 5. Removes expired medications from stock and follows facility policy and procedure for disposal. 6. Demonstrates ability to accurately navigate and utilize basic pharmacy functions in applicable software such as Vista, CPRS, BCMA, etc. Proficiently uses other computer programs such as Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Access), Sharepoint, etc. as needed 7. Communicates medication errors, adverse events, allergies, non-formulary and restricted status, and any other medication order related problems for clarification to the pharmacist and/or supervisor as necessary. 8. Assists in the quality management of Pharmacy Service by participating in process action teams and continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. c. Other Duties Performs all of the duties of a Pharmacy Technician at the same or lower grade as required and assigned. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8:
00am to 4:
30pm. (May rotate weekends and holidays) Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required. The telework eligibility of the position will be on an as needed basic (Ad-hoc) and the incumbent will have to be fully trained prior to the service considering a telework agreement. 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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. 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:
In addition to the basic requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the grade level requirements detailed below. Grade Level Requirements, GS-7 Pharmacy Technician. Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, GS-6, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level:
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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ( ):
1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements:
Work is mostly standing and walking. Work requires moderate lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, and pulling.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
a. Automation 1. Coordinates the technical aspect of Outpatient Pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are in alignment with automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized. Incumbent is instrumental in recommending and implementing changes for the improvement of the workflow, work methods and priorities involved within the drug distribution system. 2. Serves as the automation expert receiving minimal guidance on the technical aspects of the automation. Demonstrates critical systems thinking in automation implementation and process improvement initiatives. 3. Ensures that adequate off-line inventory levels of prepackaged medication packaged through automation are maintained. 4. Coordinates deliveries to automated dispensing machines managed by the outpatient pharmacy. 5. Assists the procurement technicians by scanning the automated dispensing system supply bins to order inventory. Adds new and deletes obsolete pharmaceutical products to maintain current inventory in the automated dispensing systems. 6. Runs, reviews, and maintains automation reports for ongoing quality assurance and for biannual review, and maintains automated equipment user files. 7. Resolves problems and complaints regarding Outpatient Pharmacy automation. Troubleshoots problems regarding automation, equipment, software, and hardware when production is compromised, alerts appropriate personnel, and actively participates in resolution. Works directly with the vendor's technical and clinical support, Pharmacy, and Medical Center OI&T to troubleshoot and resolve issues and maximize utilization. 8. Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained according to manufacturer recommendations and local policies and procedures to minimize downtime. 9. Trains and orients Pharmacy Staff, and other Medical Center staff involved in operating the automation equipment and provides them with access to needed software and hardware as appropriate. 10. Collaborates with the other automation pharmacy technician, Information Pharmacist, and other pharmacy employees to maximize the efficient and safe utilization of automation. 11. Works directly with other health care services locally as well as VISN and VHA employees and services to maximize utilization of the automation equipment 12. Actively participates in the writing, updating, training, and implementation of facility policy and procedure pertaining to automation equipment. b. Prevention and Management of Medication Errors and Adverse Drug Events 1. Inspects assigned ward stock areas in accordance with facility policy and procedure. 2. Accurately and efficiently prepacks medications when required assigning correct lot numbers and expiration dates and accurately recording information. 3. Accurately prepares non-sterile compounded preparations, following facility policy and procedure, standardized formulas, and appropriate calculations. 4. Adds medications and supplies to pharmacy inventory and ward stock areas by rotating stock and stocking items in appropriate locations within a reasonable time after receipt. 5. Removes expired medications from stock and follows facility policy and procedure for disposal. 6. Demonstrates ability to accurately navigate and utilize basic pharmacy functions in applicable software such as Vista, CPRS, BCMA, etc. Proficiently uses other computer programs such as Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Access), Sharepoint, etc. as needed 7. Communicates medication errors, adverse events, allergies, non-formulary and restricted status, and any other medication order related problems for clarification to the pharmacist and/or supervisor as necessary. 8. Assists in the quality management of Pharmacy Service by participating in process action teams and continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. c. Other Duties Performs all of the duties of a Pharmacy Technician at the same or lower grade as required and assigned. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8:
00am to 4:
30pm. (May rotate weekends and holidays) Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required. The telework eligibility of the position will be on an as needed basic (Ad-hoc) and the incumbent will have to be fully trained prior to the service considering a telework agreement. 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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. 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:
In addition to the basic requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the grade level requirements detailed below. Grade Level Requirements, GS-7 Pharmacy Technician. Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, GS-6, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level:
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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ( ):
1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements:
Work is mostly standing and walking. Work requires moderate lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, and pulling.
- Department:
0661 Pharmacy Technician - Salary Range:
$44,966 to $58,452 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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