This position functions primarily in patient care areas and Pharmacy Service within the heath care organization. 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: 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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). 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: (1) Pharmacy Technician, GS6 Education or Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. (b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. (3) Assignments. Pharmacy technicians at the full performance level 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 (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28 PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD November 07, 2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS6. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45lbs and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (8 hours per day); kneeling (2 hours per day); repeated bending (4 hours per day); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). ["VAEKHCS is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Major Duties: a. Reads and interprets prescriptions, 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; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. b. For unit dose medications, fills with secondary review first dose medications missing doses, and unit dose carts for inpatient areas. Repackages medications in unit-of-use packaging; obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label including barcodes, and records required data on Pharmacy's replenishment/repackaging logs. All repackaged unit dose medications will be checked by a pharmacist or advance practice technician before dispensing. Documents the items dispensed in the unit dose computer package. c. Maintains pre-determined levels of automatic replenishment/ward stock medications for patient care areas. Restocks patient care area to established inventory levels with routine secondary review. Obtains the correct medications or items for restocking, affixes proper label including barcodes; and delivers the medication to the appropriate patient care area. Monitors inventory needs in patient care areas. Places stock in proper storage areas, rotates stock, and removes/replaces outdated items. Documents the items dispensed in the automatic replenishment/ward stock computer package. d. Assist with inventory by ensuring that adequate stocks of medications and supplies for dispensing are maintained in the pharmacy. Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition. e. Compounds and/or reconstitutes simple oral or external medications (non-sterile) with secondary review and check by a pharmacist or advance practice technician before dispensing. f. Prepares and fills outpatient orders for controlled substances with final verification from pharmacist. Records all transactions in the VistA Controlled Substances Software package. Secures and files all hardcopy dispensing records in accordance with VHA and DEA regulations. g. Performs ward inspections as assigned monthly. Removes/replaces outdated items and excessive quantities of medications and documents findings using appropriate forms in accordance with established policy and procedures. h. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. i. Documents temperatures on a log if appropriate daily in pharmacy. j. Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental and all clinical questions to the pharmacist. k. As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. l. Assists collecting drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Participates in quality management and performance improvement activities by participating in service and medical center action teams. m. Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist. n. Maintains a training/education manual for the focus area assigned. Provides training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained. o. Assists Pharmacy supervisor with training of new pharmacy technicians in both inpatient and outpatient areas. p. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts and anesthesia trays without a second review. Performs final review of replenished emergency carts and anesthesia trays that have prepared by lower graded technicians. q. Performs all the duties of lower grade technicians, if required. r. As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. Work Schedule: Intermittent, as needed by the department. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized"]
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.
