Pharmacy Technician

Summary

The incumbent performs a variety of general and specialized technical and clerical support functions in Pharmacy Service and enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the professional staff. Processes refill requests, collates and prepares prescriptions for distribution. Determines if prescriptions are for window pickup or mailing. Also fills prescriptions for medical supplies. Ability to complete a heavy volume of work accurately on a daily basis is essential.

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a
• Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience associated with the scope of Pharmacy Technician practice
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, GS-6 must meet the following GS-6 Requirements
• Certification
• Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required for this grade level and above
• Experience
• One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1
• Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action
• 2
• Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment
• 3
• Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents
• 4
• Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products
• 5
• Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts
• 6
• Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders
• AND Ability to perform Assignments
• Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists
• For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G28The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Duties "-Processes refill requests, collates and prepares prescriptions for distribution.
Determines if prescriptions are for window pickup or mailing.
Also fills prescriptions for medical supplies.
Ability to complete a heavy volume of work accurately on a daily basis is essential.
-Prepares substantially all bulk compounds in the pharmacy.
Packages and labels all preparation in accordance with accepted standards.
-Works in the unit dose drug distribution system (FastPak and Medi-Dose/MILT) including packaging unit dose medications and filling unit dose cassette drawer as needed.
Places barcode stickers on medications without a scannable manufacturer barcode and performs required monitoring of barcode product labeling.
Daily restocks and maintains inventory of FastPak/MILT medications, closely monitoring and documenting the dispensing activities of the FastPak machine.
Refills FastPak canisters, checks expiration dates and reorders information on cards for file.
Delivers medication carts to the floors per scheduled delivery times and delivers medications if needed before the nest cart exchange.
-Follows all competency assessments per the IV Pharmacist as outlined in the SOPs.
Aseptically prepares for dispensing: IV solutions and hyperalimentation using laminar flow hoods.
This includes selection of appropriate reconstitution solution and final diluent and concentration, interpretation of the medication order, accurate compounding using aseptic technique and appropriate personal protective precautions, appropriate labeling, stop date review and notification and complete documentation of the lot numbers, dispensing and the return and destruction of IV solutions.
Checks admixtures for particulate matter and is responsible for seeing that solutions ordered at specific times are prepared and delivered to the proper areas.
Appropriately cleans the IV rooms and workstations.
Restocks all required supplies.
Completes all other tasks the IV pharmacist delegates.
-Answers routine phone inquiries regarding patient prescriptions based on information available through the computer system.
Routes calls to appropriate personnel or department.
-Replenishes Ward Stock to wards and clinics and delivers all types of medications including controlled substances and chemotherapy.
Inventories controlled substances on a scheduled basis according to medical center policy, prepares and files reports and notifies supervisor of any discrepancies.
Aids controlled substance inspectors in conducting monthly inspections.
-Uses judgment and initiative in developing efficient methods of operation which facilitate the clerical and computer support functions of the pharmacy.
-Informs procurement staff/administration to order and maintain proper levels of medication/supplies.
Maintains pharmacy medication storage areas with special emphasis on proper storage and rotation of stock.
Monitors expiration dates on medication/supplies and completes monthly outdates.
Inventories inpatient wards and clinics for established levels of medications and IV fluids, restocking these areas as necessary.
Aids in maintaining records of the transactions of the pharmacy as required by policies necessary to maintain adequate control and accountability of all medications and supplies.
Maintains equipment and work area in a clean and orderly fashion.
-Performs Performance Improvement activities, including participation in meetings and educational programs, collecting and reporting data.
Independently identifies problems and offers solution proposals when assigned specific team leader functions.
Provides on-the-job training to new employees, pharmacy students and volunteers.
Responsible for knowing and applying information gained at technician meetings and Pharmacy Service staff meetings, even if not in attendance, by regular review of meeting minutes.
-Knowledge of drugs and chemicals.
Ability to distinguish pharmaceutical drug classes and categories such as narcotics, tranquilizers and hypnotics, antibiotics, etc.
and to keep updated on new medications.
Knowledge of medical terminology in general.
-Knowledge of trade name medications and generic equivalents as well as pharmaceutical measures (metric and apothecary), pharmaceutical terms and definitions and Latin names used in pharmaceutical nomenclature.
-Knowledge of the hospital formulary, including dosage forms relative to strength, potency, physical form, and appearance of medications stocked by the pharmacy.
-Knowledge of entitlement programs governing eligibility to receive supplies and medications from the pharmacy, dispensing of supplies involves policies regarding patient status, which differ from medication dispensing.
-Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized."

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