Summary Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services within the pharmacy department. This position involves providing services related to inpatients and/or ambulatory patients. The incumbent may be required to perform or rotate through some or all the functions; however, the relative percentages of time spent performing each specific function varies with the area of administrative assignment. Responsibilities Major duties but not are limited to: Outpatient Section Telephone Care and Prescription Processing (Refill & Fee Basis) Area. Pick up daily prescriptions left at mailbox outside building and at waiting area; opens and sort all mail prescriptions received and counts them for statistical purposes. Deals with patient's prescriptions delivery problem and medication claims through telephone and receiving window. Demonstrates computer system knowledge, to provide patient and/or his family and accurate information. Automated Dispensing Machine (Optifill) Operation Performs Pharmacy Optifill Technician duties, as assigned at San Juan VA Medical Center in the Outpatient Pharmacy areas on emergency basis to cover leaves or annual vacation scheduled. Operates the Automated Prescription Filling Machine safely and efficiently. Performs the necessary checklist to power up and power down the machine. Manual Pick Station (Dispensing Area or Unit) Technician must be familiar with: drug generic and trade names, system of weights and measures, basic pharmaceutical mathematics calculation, controlled substances classification, controls, delivery procedures and medical supplies nomenclatures. Sets up prescription by counting correct amount of medication and pouring it m correct stock container. Release Units or Area Maintain all Check stations properly replenish of dispensing paper, address labels, shipping sack, paper bags. Verify that all printers are working properly. Release all prescriptions dispensed through scanner except medication not available and medical supplies. Delivery Window Area Delivers dispensed medications in and accurate, orderly, and timely manner, giving patient proper information in regard of his medications whenever required. Mai ling Area Prepares and packs on shipping sacks and boxes all medication left at window for more than one day, to be send by mail. Technician must assure medications are packed adequately and secure on the proper size of shipping sack or appropriate box. ends by mail all Back-Order prescriptions when medication is received. Performs monthly inspection of areas. Removes outdated, excess, or deteriorated items. Performs other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor or pharmacist in charge. Medical Supplies Unit Dispenses medical and ostomy items by mail or by window upon the receiving of prescription. Maintains area of work in a neat, clean, and orderly manner so that supplies can be readily inventoried. Material Management Prepares all bulk compounds and labels limited quantities of complex products following the procedures for which there is a master formula card. Controlled Substances Reviews and screens prescriptions for completeness, ascertains that patient's full name, Social Security number and address are correct. Assures that medications prescribed follows established procedures such as: medications are formulary approved guidelines established are followed prescription is not missing strength, dosage instructions, quantity (in number and letter), physicians' signature, DEA number and date . Attends patient's claims by telephone regarding status of their medications. . Receiving, storing, and prepackaging: Maintains area in a neat, clean, and orderly fashion so that supplies can be readily inventoried. Prevents excesses from accumulating and reviews stock that is no longer required. Inventorying Conducts regularly scheduled inventories (every 72 hours) and interacts with controlled substance inspection official (monthly basis). Reports any discrepancies or incidents to Pharmacist-In-Charge in a timely manner. Reports Submits reports as required for statistical purposes On a quarterly basis submits Quality Improvement reports of drugs most associated with waste, fraud and abuse. Training Provides controlled substance training for technicians, phamacists, inspectors, and student, etc. Investigational Drugs Requires a working knowledge of principles relating to investigational drugs, investigational protocols and the requirements of the FDA relating to investigational drugs. Must have a basic knowledge of research and research methods. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 11:00 pm to 7:00am and/or 3:00pm to 11:30pm. Requires to work weekends, holidays and on-call. May require to work day shift: 7:00am to 3:30pm and/or 8:00am 4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61268F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. (1) None required. ( 2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA 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 in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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 GS-06. Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. (b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. Selective Placement Factor: Must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish. Certification: PTCB Certification is required for positions above the full performance level. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: : The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged time period of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighting up to 40 lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, and bending/stooping. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.