Summary

This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level GS-7 at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System. 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. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting.

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: None required
• 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 Healthcareer 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)
• Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of November 7, 2023 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 Grade Determinations: GS-7 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6)
• AND Certification: must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT
• OR NHA as a ExCPT
• AND Applicant must meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below: 1
• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work
• 2.Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent
• 3
• Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers
• 4
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students
• 5
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution
• 6
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases
• 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-7. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/ carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create optimal work areas
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound a-like, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids, and frozen/refrigerated items
• Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received
• Stock rotation includes placing items expiring first in front to be used first
• Enters expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt when appropriate
• Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed
• Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements
• Reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile)
• This includes measuring the right amount of solution to be used for final pharmacist verification
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
• Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention
• Answers the telephone professionally - taking incoming calls, providing information, transferring calls, returning calls, and providing appropriate disposition for the calls
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians, interns, and students
• Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff members
• Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality
• Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed
• Appropriately restocks controlled substances items in automated secured cabinets (i.e., Omnicell) in pharmacy or throughout medical center, as assigned
• Documents all controlled substance related transactions as indicated by VA and DEA guidelines
• Assures that inventory counts are correct at the time of restocking
• Correctly inventories, assesses, and determines the need for floor or clinic stock and external medication
• Consistently displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and/or actual work performance
• Correctly uses, follows, and displays competence in utilizing any IV technology that may be used within the facility
• Work Schedule: Monday-Sunday, weekends & holidays, variable shifts which may include days, evenings, or overnight shifts
• tours may be adjusted to meet medical center and patient care needs
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000