Pharmacy Technician-Inpatient

Overview

This position is for a Certified Pharmacy Technician at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. Pharmacy technicians at the GS-7 grade level can work autonomously - using independent judgment to perform a full range of duties. Can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. Will assist the Pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission - vision - and goals of the Martinsburg VA Medical Center and Pharmacy.

• 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:
  Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education or Experience None required
• For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify - equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total to 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 National Health career Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• Grade Determinations: GS-7 Pharmacy Technician-Inpatient
  
  Experience:
  
  Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6)
• GS-6 experience includes:
  Delivery of medications to floors/patients - filling medications for the Pharmacist to review Checking expired medications Answering phones with appropriate disposition - providing customer service to Veterans related prescriptions needs Preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered
• Certification:
  For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT
• OR NHA as a ExCPT
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs):
  In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles - practices - concepts and theories providing for sound independent work
• Knowledge of computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent
• Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team - Veterans and external customers
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations - policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS7
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

• VA Careers - Pharmacy:  Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties:
  Accurately interpret - fill - and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock equipment are in assigned place and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create optional work areas
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines - including the storage of high-risk - look alike sound alike - hazardous - controlled substances - corrosive chemical - flammable liquids and refrigerated items
• Receives - checks - rotates - and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures
• Reports automation malfunctions timely to the supervisor as appropriate
• Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to be expired drugs are removed
• Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral and external medications (non-sterile)
• This includes…