Career Center

Summary

This position is located at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy or Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The incumbent is responsible for providing support to all outpatient pharmacy operations including filling and packaging prescriptions - dispensing and managing inventory for controlled substances - basic use and maintenance of automation - assisting patients on the phone or in person - procurement activities - clinic inventory management.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) 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 Healthcareer 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-0661-07 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06)
• 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): 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 the 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
• Assignment: Pharmacy technicians at the GS-07 level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties
• These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting
• They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives
• At this level - pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy
• They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy - including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations - with minimal oversight
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Principal duties of this position require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g. - preparing prescriptions - use of a computer keyboard - etc.)
• May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.) - including boxes - equipment - medical supplies - stock boxes etc.
• stooping or kneeling (e.g. - to pick up items from the floor - remove and replace items on lower shelves - and to file documents in lower file drawers - etc.)
• sitting - walking - or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours)
• Ability to operate automation
• Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively
• An ability to perform tasks.

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Dispensing a) Processing and filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and nonscheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices - over-the-counter products - and supply items in compliance with regulations and policies and procedures b) Assists in the packaging and dispensing of Outpatient medication to patients for window - mail and clinic administration
• Also ensures two patient identifiers are utilized when dispensing medications to patients and signatures for medication pick up are obtained
• c) Accurately reads and interprets prescriptions and medication profile from the Veterans integrated software technology Architecture (VistA) - automated dispensing equipment - computerized patient record keeping system (CPRS) or in written format
• d) Reviews prescription orders for technical accuracy
• e) Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed regarding drug - strength - quantity - or appropriate supply item
• f) Dispenses medications using automation or manual dispensing
• g) Able to operate - maintain - and perform basic troubleshooting of pharmacy Automation Clinic Inventory Management a) Monitors inventory of medications stored in clinics for clinic administration ensuring medications are approved and quantities are within the approved stock levels
• b) Accurately fills prescription items for wards using VistA Automatic Replenishment reports and Pyxis reports
• c) Ensure medication is properly stored according to the manufacturer's specifications regarding temperature - light - and moisture
• d) Medications are secured in accordance with all VA policies and procedures
• e) Ensure medications are all within expiration date f) Notify nurse manager or charge nurse with any issues identified related to medication storage
• g) Performs and documents monthly inspections of assigned hospital/clinic areas for medication storage
• Removes all expired and deteriorated drugs from the automated dispensing stations - stock shelves - and other clinic areas Pharmacy Phone System a) Able to use the Cisco phone system b) Maintains appropriate phone etiquette and professionalism
• c) Able to work independently in phone center locations
• d) Accurately collects and clarifies patient information from patient or medical center staff
• e) Capable of synthesizing patient information to identify basic therapeutic - distributive or medication related problems
• f) Accurately enters notes as appropriate into CPRS using pharmacy templates or blank forms
• g) Understands when to alert pharmacists for problems
• h) Communicates information accurately verbally - in CPRS or other format
• i) Completes calls and as needed follow up in a timely manner
• j) Seeks opportunity to support pharmacy operations when phone volume low
• Pharmacy Mail System: a) Follows appropriate policy and procedures for packaging and preparing prescriptions for mailing
• b) Ensures prescription label matches mailing label and maintains accuracy in other software or paper systems
• c) Appropriately selects type of mailing to route packages
• d) Able to transport mail containers to pick up destinations - restock supplies - lift mail bags or containers
• e) Assists with other medication distribution activities as directed by pharmacist - supervisor - or as delineated as part of the shift responsibility
• Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:30am - 6pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized