Pharmacy Technician

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Summary The Outpatient Pharmacy Technician is located within the Jesse Brown VAMC. This position provides support to all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings to include: patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, phone center, outpatient clinic, administration area, or other area as assigned by the supervisor. Responsibilities Dispenses medications following all regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution. Reads and interprets prescriptions from the veteran electronic health record systems (EHRS) or in written format. Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed with regard to drug, strength, quantity, or appropriate supply item. Maintains highly sophisticated pharmacy equipment. This includes cleaning procedures and maintenance of ADM’s and other counting machines. Accurately or updates patient information in the many pharmacy software packages such as ADM’s and EHRM. Comprehends and participates in procurement activities, inventory management, narcotic dispensing, secure messaging, overnight mail, partial fills, window dispensing, administrative reports, prescription review, and incident reports as delegated by supervisor. Trains developmental pharmacy technicians and students in the medication management system, controlled substances, pharmacy mail system, pharmacy dispensing and distribution systems. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: 8am-4:30pm, 9:30am-6pm and rotating Weekends/holidays: 8am-4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications 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:(1) None required. (2) 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. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR, (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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). In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following: Grade Determinations: GS-07 Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient) Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (1) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (2) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (3) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (4) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (5) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (6) 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. Preferred Experience: Outpatient Pharmacy Technician experience at Jesse Brown. (NOTE: EXPERIENCE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND DETAILED IN RESUME). References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application proces