Pharmacy Technician - Remote

Summary The position is located in Pharmacy Service with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System. The selectee serves as Pharmacy Technician (Rotating Inpatient / Outpatient). Under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy technicians perform routine pharmacy functions including receiving prescriptions from patients in writing or electronically from physicians. 1st area will be given to Facility, VA-Wide, other Fed Agencies. Responsibilities OUTPATIENT Follow written instructions for processing refill or suspended prescriptions in addition to mailing completed prescriptions to Veterans Reviews medication orders for accuracy and appropriateness and communicates concerns to the assigned pharmacists. Understands the requested drug, strength, dose form, directions, route of administration, labeling requirements, physician name, and patient name Checks and stocks incoming shipments of drugs and supplies received from warehouse Advises patients, nurses, nursing home, physician's offices, physicians, etc., of all required prescriptions, including eligibility requirements, status of orders, availability of specific drugs, etc. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including counters, automated prepack machines, conveyor belts, and tape dispensers Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy as requested by the supervisor Receive and respond to all telephone inquiries from patients/family members regarding any issue related to prescription availability, including but not limited to: Properly utilize the Automated Call Distribution (ACD) telephone equipment. Inquiries on address, telephone number and allergy information verification. Communication and clarification regarding prescription window and mail processing. Communication regarding the processing of medications originally prescribed at other VA facilities via access to VISTA WEB. Proper documentation in CPRS. Advise the patient on problem resolution and screen / triage calls for problems that should be referred to a pharmacist or other clinic health care team member for follow-up. INPATIENT Inventories, orders and stocks medication and IV fluids for inpatient, ward stock, Automated, Acute Care and Outpatient Clinic area to include CBOCs Refills the automated unit dose repackaging canisters for all medications to maintain quantities above specified par levels Follow written instructions for USP 797 and USP 800 concerning compounding of sterile medications and hazardous medications. Maintains safe work practices when using hazardous materials Operates and maintains complicated equipment, including TCGRx, Pyxis and Scriptpro Work Schedule: Rotating shifts 7:30 - 4; 8:00 - 4:30, may include weekend and holiday rotations Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 619-036 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above 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: GS-6 Pharmacy Technician (Above the Full Performance Level)(a) Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. (d) Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Preferred Experience: One year of specialized experience in a medical center setting References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, and bending/stooping. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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. 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.