at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in North Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary GS-7 Pharmacy Technicians function in various areas of the outpatient pharmacy (East and West campuses). Pharmacy Technicians are under the supervision of the outpatient pharmacy supervisor or a pharmacy technician supervisor. Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services within the pharmacy department. This position involves providing services related to ambulatory patients. Responsibilities VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation’s Veterans. Functions of the Position: The incumbent is responsible for the filling, dispensing, procurement, storage, preparation, review, distribution, and control of medications/other pharmaceutical products to patients, inpatient and outpatient treatment units, and research investigators. The work product directly affects health of outpatients. Major Duties and Responsibilities: A. Outpatient: Incumbent will perform entry, processing and filling of outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over the counter products and supply items; patient and customer relations; and preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports. The incumbent must possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date an beyond use date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose is prepared and/or distributed; working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders for propriety and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems; controlled substance discrepancies, working knowledge of hospital computer system(s), specifically the applicable VISTA/CHCS, CPRS and Class-III software applications and processing options. B. Controlled Substance: Fills and dispenses prescriptions for controlled substances for Outpatient beneficiaries. Incumbent performs controlled substances inventories as required. The incumbent is required to possess advanced knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of FHCC and Network policy and state and federal regulations, which apply to these drugs. Knowledge of trending and analysis is necessary to ensure that problems associated with discrepancies in waste, fraud, diversion or abuse are identified quickly and reported to appropriate supervisor(s). C. Procurement and Stock Maintenance: Performs duties associated with stocking of medications and supplies, to include rotation of stock, checking for and pulling outdated/expired medications and supply items, cleaning and maintenance of stock shelves and areas. Notifies and coordinates with supervisor, pharmacist-in-charge, and/or supply technicians of medications and supply items need. GS-7 Pharmacy Technicians require advanced technical knowledge of all aspects of drug characteristics and nomenclature including generic/chemical and brand names, dosage forms, various systems of weights and measures, drug product codes, drug interchangeability and therapeutic equivalence; characteristics and proper documentation of drug packaging; various uses for drugs; FHCC, VA and DOD regulatory agency requirements for drug storage; special requirements for procurement, storage, distribution and handling of various classes of drugs. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, days, weekends Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician – Outpatient/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications Preferred Experience: Possess a current Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or EXCPT with an understanding of the goals, objectives and performance measures associated with Pharmacy Operations. 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: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Health Career Association (NHA)? is required at grades GS-7 and above. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations:GS-7 Level: One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level.-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, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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 phar
