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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Conducts patient consults
• Understands specific handling considerations, storage, distribution and disposal of medications. Routinely inspects storage environments such as refrigerators and freezers.
• Reads and interprets orders, and pulls non-controlled medications and independently fills orders without supervision for dispensing pharmacist review.
• Reconstitutes simple oral medications with secondary review by the dispensing pharmacist
• Provides patient education on pharmacy topic such as the refill process, relaying clinical questions to a pharmacist.
• Serves as stock technician by accurately shelving non-controlled medications, packaging ward stock, etc.
• Pulls outdates and properly disposes outdated medications and can assist in inventory counts with the exception of the narcotics vault.
• Has technical knowledge of equipment and supplies used to pack and mail completed orders.
• Hands off mail to UPS and USPS representatives picking up Pharmacy mail.
• Uses VistA, CPRS, ScriptPro, Robot, Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADC) and portals. Can enter and access clinical patient information.
• Cleans and restocks the ScriptPro and the Robot. Can restock the ADCs.
• Conducts point of care and ward stock inspections for WWVA clinics that stock medications.
• Cleans counting trays and wipes down non-controlled dispensing counters at the end of each day.
• Provides telephone support for patients, providers, and nursing staff. Answers inquiries related to general, non-clinical/non-medical issues or procedures, and refers clinical/medical questions to a pharmacist.
• Dispenses completed/verified medication orders to patients under the supervision of a pharmacist.
• Delivers medication and supplies to non-Pharmacy clinical areas.
• Completes daily reports as directed.
• Opens mail and scans prescription orders before delivering the orders to the triage technician.
• Performs pharmacy administrative duties such as filing filled orders and ward stock requests, copying medication guides, and verifying medications that fall under Safety Data Sheets are documented. Delivers and discusses restock orders to the Purchasing Agent. Notifies the GEMS Coordinator when the Hazardous Materials container needs to be emptied.
• Consistently displays competence with best practice standards for the Pharmacy.
• Complies with Medical Center Memorandums, including hand hygiene, appropriate personnel attire, and so forth.
• Keeps up with TMS training requirements.

Work Schedule: Intermittent (As needed/available)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
References: Please provide references with application. At a minimum two current or former supervisors or from individuals who were in a position of a professional nature. Indicated if the Hiring Manager may contact.
Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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.
• 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

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:
  • None required.
  • For all grade levels that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying.

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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 Pharmacy Technician
Experience and Education.

• One year of post-secondary education. OR,
• Six months of general experience. OR,
• Student Technician. A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time, part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individual's program.

GS-4 Pharmacy Technician
Experience and Education.

• Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g., 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses). OR,
• Completion of one of the following:
  • Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR,
  • Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. American Society of Health System Pharmacists® (ASHP), American Pharmacist Association (APHA), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs. NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are not actual certifications. OR,
  • One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to follow policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain appropriate files.
• Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals.
• Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to operate office software/equipment to include, computers, software applications and printers.

GS-5 Pharmacy Technician
Experience and Education.

• Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g., 48 semester hours of science, mathematics, pharmacy) or a bachelor's degree. OR,
• An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training). OR,
• One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.

GS-6 Pharmacy Technician
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.

Preferred Experience:
Two to five years of Pharmacy Technician experience.
Three years experience with automated systems.
Three years experience with VA software..

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6.

Physical Requirements: Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers. May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44 lbs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose-cassettes, and IV solutions; stooping or kneeling; sitting, walking or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.