Pharmacy Technician

Overview

The Pharmacy Technician must be a nationally certified pharmacy technician who can work autonomously - utilizing independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as with a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of complex pharmacy principles and practices to perform a full range of duties. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission - vision - and goals of the organization.

• 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
• 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)
• 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-7:
  
  Experience:
  
  One year of experience equivalent to GS-6; GS-6 level experience includes:
  Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice;
  Knowledge of preparation - storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation;
  Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment;
  Knowledge of basic inventory procedures;
  Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel
• 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
• Knowledge
  - Skills and Abilities
  
  (KSAs):
  Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, the computerized prescription process, ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with the healthcare team, ability to train developmental technicians and students, ability to dispense medication or sterile products following regulations, policies, and procedures, and ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Previous hospital pharmacy experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit the VA Qualification Standards
• Physical Requirements:
  
  You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position

• Major duties include - but are not limited to the following:
  Pharmacy Dispensing/Distribution Services:
  The Pharmacy Technician will be involved in assuring appropriate - safe - and accurate medications are dispensed to veterans in an efficient manner
• The pharmacy technician will provide a range of medication management and administrative services
• Maintains workflow patterns that assure timely delivery of pharmacy services and ensures accurate documentation and dispensing of pharmaceuticals
• Effectively organizes workload - solves problems - and achieves established goals
• Provides patient care utilizing an in-depth knowledge of specialized areas of pharmacy practice
• Maintains and understands the operation of pharmacy equipment and automation - such as Script Pro - TCG-Rx - BD Cato - and Pyxis
• Assists staff and…