Summary The Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient Pharmacy) will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the Robley Rex VA Medical Center and Pharmacy Service. This position provides support to all outpatient pharmacy operations. This includes patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, clinical contact center, administration area, or other area as assigned by the supervisor. Responsibilities Duties a. Medication Distribution System 1) Reads and interprets prescriptions from the electronic health record systems(EHRS) or in written format. 2) Reviews prescription orders for technical accuracy. 3) Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed with regard to drug, strength, quantity, or appropriate supply item. 4) Dispenses medications following all regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution. 5) Uses Automated Dispensing Machines (ADM) to batch and label medications. Ensures Script Talk labels are batched if needed. 6) Understands when and how to use other prescription labels during computer outages. b. Pharmacy Contact Center 1) Effectively uses the current facility phone system. 2) Maintains appropriate phone etiquette and professionalism. 3) Works independently in phone center location(s). 4) Accurately collects and clarifies patient information. 5) Synthesizes patient information to identify basic therapeutic, distributive, or medication related problems. 6) Understands when to alert pharmacist for problems c. Pharmacy Mail System 1) Fills medication "to be mailed" in accordance with description provided in the medication distribution section. 2) Ensures prescription label matches mailing label and maintains accuracy in other software or paper systems. 3) Transports mail containers to pick up destinations, restocks supplies, lifts mail bags or containers. 4) Assists with other medication distribution activities as directed by pharmacist, supervisor, or as delineated as part of the shift responsibility. d. Medication Management System 1) Assists the pharmacist with problem solving patient care or medication issues. 2) Assists in quality improvement projects as an individual or on assigned teams to improve pharmacy service. 3) Assists to complete required pharmacy reporting obligations as directed. 4) Maintains pharmacy security. This includes the physical security of the pharmacy and the security of electronic records. 5) Maintains accountability for tour of duty. This includes being ready for their tour of duty at the start of their shift, and being on time as they return from lunch, breaks, or other assigned meetings and activities. 6) Efficiently uses written communication skills for job related activity such as secure messaging, email, or other forms of pharmacy communication. 7) Understands pharmacy SOPs and policy for general operations and inspections. 8) Understands waste streams for returned medications and medications to be destroyed e. Controlled Substances (CS) 1) Fills controlled substance medications in accordance with description provided in the medication distribution section. 2) Accurately maintains a rolling inventory in automation and performs a complete inventory per VA guidelines. 3) Runs reports such as "Monthly CII Script Processing Detail Reports" or other reports as needed. 4) Verifies inventory with VA Accountable Officer and accurately stocks ADM with new inventory. 5) Ensures access to vault is limited to the appropriate staff. 6) Matches hardcopy prescriptions to prescription labels according to current federal and state requirements in a timely fashion. 7) Monitors prescription orders for dispensing accuracy and communicates potential problems to supervisor. 8) Performs equipment maintenance on automation as directed f. Other 1) Trains developmental pharmacy technicians and students in the medication management system, controlled substances, pharmacy mail system, clinical contact center, pharmacy dispensing, and distribution systems. Work Schedule: Mostly Days with rotating weekends and Holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:40360-f Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 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: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07. (1) Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a)PTCB as a (CPhT). OR (b)NHA as a ExCPT. (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07 . Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching 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.