Summary

This position is for a pharmacy technician at the Alaska VA Healthcare System. Employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission - vision - and goals. Accomplish all duties related to stocking - delivering - inventory - inspections - assembling ward orders - prescription assembly - controlled substances distribution - sterile compounding - unit-dose drug packaging - dispensing - distribution - and any other functions.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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
• 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
• 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: Pharmacy Technician - GS-06 Education or Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice
• Knowledge of preparation - storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation
• Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment
• Knowledge of basic inventory procedures
• Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel
• 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: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate lifting (15-44lbs) - light lifting (under 15lbs) - moderate carrying - light carrying - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - standing - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - and near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Environmental factors are working in dry atmospheric conditions - constant noise - working closely with others - and working alone.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions Medication Distribution System Reads and interprets prescriptions from Veteran electronic health record (EHR) or in written format
• Accurately fills and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured
• Receives - checks - rotates - and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff
• Records expiration dates
• Perform monthly inspections
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
• Identifies basic therapeutic problems
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians - interns - and students
• Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program
• 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 to create optimal work areas
• Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacy
• Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service
• Completes all National - VISN - local - and Pharmacy mandatory trainings
• Complies with all VHA - Medical Center - and Pharmacy regulations - directives - policies - and procedures
• May be assigned to work in other areas of pharmacy service as deemed necessary
• Window Pick-Up Verifies the patient's identification - correct prescriptions - and receipt of all prescriptions
• Mail Packaging Utilizes and comprehends the mail shipping programs
• Calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verifies patients address
• Packages prescriptions appropriately
• Pharmacy Phone System Maintains appropriate phone etiquette and professionalism
• Controlled Substances These functions will be supported in the absence of the controlled substance technician
• Accurately interpret - fills - and readies prescriptions
• Appropriately prepares controlled substances items for automated secured cabinets throughout medical center
• Documents all controlled substance related transactions
• Assures that inventory counts are correct at the time of restocking
• Ensures that proper handoff
• Reports unresolvable discrepancies
• Unit Dose Medication Management Prepares unit dose medications
• Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability
• Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems
• Automatic Replenishment/Ward Stock Correctly inventories - assesses - and determines the need for floor stock and external medication
• Follows established policies and procedures - schedules - inventory levels - and usage rate reports to determine appropriate stock levels for specific areas of use
• Accurately fills prescription items for wards using Automatic Replenishment reports
• Performs and documents an inspection of assigned hospital areas for medication storage
• Assures that each area that is inspected
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of 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: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized