This is the full performance level for Pharmacy technicians. Incumbents may fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products and assisting with basic inventory. 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 technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Grade Determination (GS-6):Experience. One year experience at the next lower level (GS-5), and must fully meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) at the next lower level, which are: Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience/KSAs above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. NOTE: Your description of your work experience in your resume/CV must adequately demonstrate all required knowledge, skills, and abilities in order for you to be found qualified and referred for consideration. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The position requires frequent walking and standing; repeated bending; moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); the ability to read handwritten or typed characters with or without glasses; ability to hear conversation voice with or without aid; and emotional and mental stability. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pd FUNCTIONS: Works collaboratively with VISN programs, services, and interdisciplinary coordinated care team members to provide access to care and meet the needs of Veterans, their family members and/or legal representatives via various available contact modalities to include but not limited to telephone calls, secure messaging, chat, text messaging and video regarding a broad range of topics, including medication refills/renewals, basic billing inquiries, and procedural pharmacy activities. Routinely reviews computer medication profiles for therapeutic duplication, prescription noncompliance and allergies/drug reactions. Transfers identified patients to a Pharmacist or supervisor, for further evaluation, if needed. Processes and submits patient requests for new prescription orders and renewals (including controlled substances) into the computer accurately, thoroughly and in a timely manner. Uses approved Pharmacy Service protocols when appropriate to satisfy patient medication requests. Consistently documents patient contact and call resolution in VISN CCC software (and the electronic healthcare record as applicable) to include but is not limited to what was requested, what action was taken and any other information which may be pertinent during future research. Assists in the documentation of medication variances. Seeks assistance from designated Lead Technician, a pharmacist or supervisor when responding to unusual questions or when reasonable attempts to satisfy a caller have been unsuccessful. Actively and diligently treats all Veterans with respect and utmost dignity. Seeks to solve Veteran's concerns at first contact. When required, refers to other VA resources to assist in the resolution process. Always resolves all Veteran issues in a timely and caring manner with emphasis on providing first contact resolution. Maintains National Pharmacy Technician Certification. Participates in continuous daily improvement and VISN CCC initiatives. Completes additional duties as assigned. CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS: Meets the needs of customers while supporting the VA mission. Demonstrates good customer relation skills when addressing patients, their families and fellow employees. Does not cause problems or antagonize others through rudeness or lack of diplomacy. Personal interactions are free of valid complaints. Performance must show the ability to adjust to changes in workflow and the ability to function as a team member, helping the group effort where possible. Responds to customer inquiries in a helpful and timely fashion. If not able to remedy a situation, the employee is able to direct the opportunity to the appropriate resource. Promotes harmonious relationships within the work environment, which supports the needs of the team and the customers. Preferred Experience: 1 Year of Pharmacy Tech Experience, Call center/Clinical Contact Center experience, proficient at multi-tasking, utilizing medical electronic patient records, understanding of metrics that include abandonment rate and average speed of answer of calls . Top-notch customer service. Works well as a team member, proficient at troubleshoot patient concerns and judgement when to seek assistance with call. Work Schedule: Full-Time, To be Determined with Service Line. May include some nights and weekends. Compressed/Flexible: TDB with Service line Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:54806F Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
