Pharmacy Technician

Summary

The Community Care Pharmacy Technician is responsible for the receiving, assessing appropriateness, and processing of Community Care prescribed prescriptions for final review by a pharmacist assigned to Community Care. The Community Care Technician will assist in all daily tasks concerning prescriptions by non‑VA providers about formulary alternatives and obtaining documentation needed to process prior authorization requests.

Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

• 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 at least 100 % are qualifying.
• Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) – Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or the National Health Career Association (NHA) – Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• Grade Determinations – Pharmacy Technician GS‑8
  
  Experience:
  
  Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS‑08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:
• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology, and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.).
• Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion – involving standing for prolonged periods, lifting/carrying pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs, and bending/stooping.
• 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.

• VA Careers – Pharmacy:
  Youtube. The duties include— but are not limited to:
• Receives faxed, mailed, electronically prescribed, or delivered prescriptions (including from CBOC locations) written by Community Care providers and documents all received prescriptions in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Reviews EHR to determine authorization to receive Community Care.
• Communicates with patients concerning prescriptions received from unauthorized provider visits and handles prescriptions appropriately— forwarding to the primary care provider or returning to the patient.
• Inputs authorized prescriptions or prepares electronically prescribed medications in EHR for review and verification by the Community Care Clinical Care Pharmacist or representative.
• Answers Community Care questions and handles all phone calls not requiring a pharmacist.
• Documents all phone conversations in EHR for future reference.
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians, interns, and students.
• Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy‑training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, professional and non‑professional staff members.
• Performs duties of all lower‑grade technicians as needed.
• Assists higher‑level technicians as needed.
• Completes all VHA–Medical Center– and Pharmacy mandatory trainings in a timely manner.
• Accurately interprets, fills, and readies prescriptions with appropriate medications for pharmacist verification.
• Reports unresolvable discrepancies to immediate area supervisor for resolution.
• Assists in investigating, witnessing, and resolving discrepancies.
• Work Schedule:
  
  Monday‑Friday – rotating shifts 8:00 am‑4:30 pm and 9:30 am‑6:00 pm, including weekends and holidays.
• Telework:
  Not authorized. Virtual:
  This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 94471-A Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):
Not authorized