The Pharmacy Technician performs varied technical duties in the Outpatient and/or In-patient Pharmacy under the direction of a supervisory pharmacy technician or licensed pharmacist. The employee arranges the timing and sequence of assigned task to meet variable workload demands. All work on prescription/medication orders is checked by a licensed pharmacist; other work is reviewed for overall accuracy of results. 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: 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-6 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The Pharmacy Technician must be capable of light lifting (-15 lbs.), moderate walking and standing )-4 hrs.), bending, reaching above shoulders, vision (correctable), able to distinguish basic colors, hearing (hearing aids permitted), opening and closing medication containers, working with noise and able to work around machinery with moving parts. ["Work Schedule: Tour of duty varies Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01723F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The Pharmacy Technician performs varied technical duties in the Outpatient and/or In-patient Pharmacy under the direction of a supervisory pharmacy technician or licensed pharmacist. The employee may rotate among various sections/divisions within VAPIHCS Pharmacy Service, as determined by scheduling and workload requirements, performing duties as assigned in order, to provide technician coverage on all operating shifts. The employee will be assigned to specific pharmacy sections based on training & competencies. This position requires basic computer knowledge and familiarity with the use of the VAPIHCS computer systems. The pharmacy technician assists the licensed pharmacist in providing optimal pharmaceutical care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the VAPIHCS. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Receives and processes mailed-in prescriptions and refill/renewal requests. Refer all problems requiring professional judgment to a licensed pharmacist. Enters refill requests into the VistA and CPRS computer systems accurately and efficiently for non-controlled medications. Prepares prescriptions for final check by a licensed pharmacist. Selects the correct medications and counts the correct quantity when completed manually or using automated equipment when appropriate. Prior to dispensing to the patient, verifies the identification of the patient via two patient identifiers. Ensure patient's government identification is used as one identifier. Prepares, packages, and processes postage of completed prescriptions that are designated to be mailed locally per specific shipping requirements and postal carrier service. Have the knowledge and ability to reconstitute oral or external medications in a non-sterile environment. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used, then obtains confirmation with a pharmacist. Process missing dose request generated from BCMA and affixes label to correct drug. Fill Pyxis orders timely and accurately as generated by the Pharmacy Drug Control Program Team, with correct medication, strength, form, quantity, lot number, expiration date, etc., for checking by a pharmacist. Accurately and timely deliver/load/remove floor stock medications in approved medication storage areas/units as directed by the Pharmacy Drug Control Program Team. Prints activity reports for each action performed on Pyxis Med Stations. Proper documentation completed and maintained for non-Pyxis storage areas and return forms to procurement. Responsible for answering all the telephones in the outpatient pharmacy, and triage appropriately in a timely and professional manner. Responsible for logging all phone call data into the log on the Pharmacy SharePoint site. Answers patient questions regarding the status of their prescription, refill information or other general questions. Questions that are clinical in nature or require a pharmacist's interpretation, such as tablet / capsule identification, are referred to a licensed pharmacist for a call back. Accepts pharmaceutical deliveries daily. Re-stocks the medications/supplies in the appropriate storage areas upon completion of the receiving validation process. Ensure every medication is in an appropriate bin and labeled with the medication name and barcode. Assists with drug recalls and immediately pull from floor stock and alert pharmacists. Pre-packaging via FastPak will be done in accordance with applicable laws, requirements of official packaging and established standards of good professional practice. Prepares labeling for repackaged medications including specialized labeling which includes bar-coding. Utilizes the Medi-Dose unit dose packaging program to prepare unit doses for dispensing through the Inpatient Pharmacy section, as assigned. Monitors temperature of Pharmacy's refrigerators and maintains temperature requirements as necessary. Wipes the exterior and interior bottom shelf once a week and as needed. Assists the pharmacy technician supervisor with the formal and informal instruction/orientation of new staff within area of assignment. Conducts scheduled inventories and assists with non-scheduled audits in the vault and CACHE based on standard operating procedures. Works with procurement technicians to monitor controlled substance stock levels and maintain stock in the vault and pyxis machines. Follows procedures for proper disposition of expired or unusable controlled substances. Must have and maintain a valid unrestricted driver's license. Other duties as assigned by management."]

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