Pharmacy technicians with the Birmingham VA HCS may fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Other duties include but are not limited to: delivery of medications to floors/ patients, filling medications for review, checking for expired meds, answering phones, preparing sterile products and assisting with basic inventory such as putting up stock and identifying when meds need to be ordered. Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). b. 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. Grade Determination (GS-6): Experience. One year experience at the next lower level (GS-5), and must fully meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) at the next lower level, which are: Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations. Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas. Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical and proprietary names of drug). Ability to fill prescriptions. Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience/KSAs above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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. NOTE: Your description of your work experience in your resume/CV must adequately demonstrate all required knowledge, skills, and abilities in order for you to be found qualified and referred for consideration. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The position requires frequent walking and standing; repeated bending; moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); the ability to read handwritten or typed characters with or without glasses; ability to hear conversation voice with or without aid; and emotional and mental stability. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws FUNCTIONS/SCOPE OF DUTIES: A. Medication Management: 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 auxiliary labels; and records required data on electronically or via the Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. Replenishes inventory for emergency carts, kits, and trays. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvements purposes. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. After prescription/order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and ensures that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Answers questions and calls from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Monitors refrigerator temperature daily in assigned areas. Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed. Maintains, verifies, stocks and replaces outdates in patient care area automated dispensing machines throughout the facility (i.e., floors and clinics). Properly handles medications by ensuring high alert, hazardous, refrigerated and controlled substance medications are handled/stored appropriately and legally. Prepares medications that requires special handling and documentation. Assures that each individual prescription order is filled correctly with right drug/supply item, strength, dosage form, quantity and with all necessary auxiliary labels attached. B. Outpatient Pharmacy Activities (when assigned): Processes and fills outpatient prescriptions in compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures. Utilizes the automated dispensing machine (i.e. Scriptpro) for packaging and dispensing medications. Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels. Assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles. Appropriately assigns and prints label for completed prescriptions notating if it's window, mail, UPS, refrigerated or non-refrigerated item. Supports automation by manually completing prescriptions not processed through the automation dispensing machine. Assures the timely completion of all prescriptions. Verifies the patient's identification following the Medical Center's policies. Ensures two patient identifiers are utilized when dispensing medications. Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions by using VA software (i.e., VISTA and barcode scanning) Verifies that the patient has received all prescriptions (i.e., refrigerated, controlled substances, bulk medications, etc.) Ensure the patient signature is obtained at pick-up electronically. Only uses manual signature during contingency. C. Inpatient Pharmacy Activities (when assigned) Performs review of medications prepared by another pharmacy employee to be dispensed to hospital areas. Inventories and replenishes emergency trays/carts/kits. Operates and maintains automated dispensing unit dose systems such as Pyxis and Parata. Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability before submitting for final check, prior to distribution to hospital areas. Ensures correct number of tablets are present in each locally unit dosed package prior to dispensing to floors and/or automated devices. Utilizes the Parata Perl inspection system after medications repackaged. Assures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards and attains a final review by a pharmacist. Maintains repackaging records that assures all regulatory and review standards are met. Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems as they occur and coordinates resolution of more involved mechanical or software problems with Supervisor, vendor help desk, ADPAC, etc. as appropriate. Fills medication orders to fulfill pre-exchange doses, missing dose reports, Automated Dispensing Machines (ADMs), loads, restocks and IV orders with accuracy. Correctly inventories, assesses, and determines the need for floor stock and external medication. Delivers pre-exchange doses, missing dose reports, Automated Dispensing Machines (ADMs), loads, restocks and IV orders with accuracy. Work Schedule: 8 hour Shift between 6a and 6p with rotating WHEN hours Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
