The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To process, prepare and package prescribed medications and medical supplies for pick-up and mailing. Incumbent will perform as a general, all around, non-professional assistant to the pharmacist. Performing a full range of sub-professional, non-judgmental, technical duties required in the assigned section under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. Performing specialized pharmacy technician duties such as automation support as required. 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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/ registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only. at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists." Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-06 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 (*): Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year of Outpatient Pharmacy Technician Experience Experience with pharmacy automation (ScriptPro, Omnicell, ScriptCenter) Knowledge and experience with pharmacy information/operating systems References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard GS-661 Veterans Health Administration March 17, 2006. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting: (15-44 pounds); Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight Pulling (less than 30 minutes); Pushing (less than 30 minutes); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted). ["Duties include, but are not limited to: To process, prepare and package prescribed medications for pick-up and mailing. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class. Recommends to the pharmacist clinical intervention or consultation with the patient about the drug(s). Prints patients' profile for resolving problems such as patients requesting expired, early prescription refills, etc. Interprets, scans, sets up labels and readies the prescription medication order for final check by the Pharmacist. Converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. 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. Calculates and converts to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile. Affixes proper label; and, records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. Prepares and packages medications for mailing, including certified mail. Work Schedule: Tour of duty , Mon-Fri, between the hours of 0700 and 1800 (8-hour work schedule) tour may be further adjusted or extended (to include weekends/holidays) to meet patient care needs.\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)/PD000000, PD000000, and PD000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nThis is a Bargaining Unit position."]