Summary

This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level GS-7 at the Tomah VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously - using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting.

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:

• 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 by38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Certification: The employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:(a) PTCB as a CPhT
• OR - (b) NHA as a ExCPT
• A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION
• Assignments: 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
• 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: GS-7 Pharmacy Technician Grade Determinations: Experience
• Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6)
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion - involving standing for prolonged periods of time - lifting or carrying of heavy pharmaceutical supplies or mail bags weighing up to 80 pounds - bending - and stopping.

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional General duties: Accurately interpret - fills - and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification
• 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 following all safety and QA procedures
• Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• Performs monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are 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 final 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
• Complies with all VHA - Medical Center - and Pharmacy regulations - directives - policies - and procedures
• Work Schedule: Full time - Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized 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: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.