Summary

This Pharmacy Technician position supports patient care activities within Pharmacy Service at the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System. This position works autonomously - using independent judgement to perform a full range of pharmacy technician duties. The incumbent will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission - vision - and goals of the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System and Pharmacy Service.

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:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (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 in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• Certification
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above - applicants must possess the following grade requirements
• GS-07 Pharmacy Technician: Applicants must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade - GS-06 - and must fully meet the Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs) at the next lower level
• GS-06 Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (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
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following GS-07 KSAs: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles - practices - concepts and theories providing for sound independent work
• Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent
• Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team - Veterans and external customers
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations - policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases
• Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties
• These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting
• They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives
• At this level - pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy
• They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy - including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations - with minimal oversight
• 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-07
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion involving standing for prolonged periods of time - walking - bending - stooping - stretching - lifting - handling items not to exceed 40 pounds - and irregular work shifts
• Incumbent must be able to walk an average of 3-5 miles per day
• Normal safety precautions and practices are required for working in a healthcare environment
• For additional guidance - please refer to VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The pharmacy technician position is expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking - delivering - inventory - inspections - assembling ward orders - prescription assembly - controlled substances distribution - sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs) - unit-dose drug packaging - dispensing - distribution and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices
• The duties of the pharmacy technician 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
• 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 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
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff
• Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expire drugs removed
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile)
• This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for pharmacist verification
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians - interns and students
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacy
• Completes all National - VISN - local and Pharmacy Service mandatory trainings in a timely manner
• Complies with all VHA - Medical Center - and Pharmacy Service regulations - directives - policies and procedures
• May be assigned to work in other areas of Pharmacy Service as deemed necessary by the Chief - Pharmacy Service or Supervisor
• Performs all other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Tours will vary - depending on the needs of the service - to include rotating days - nights - weekends and holidays
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not 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) 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized