Pharmacy Technician
Major duties include, but may not be limited to:
Unit Dose Medication Management:
Prepares inpatient orders in conjunction with the unit dose drug dispensing system for final check by a GS-6 technician or pharmacist; responsible for the delivery of all inpatient drugs to the unit areas, including unit dose, IV's, automatic replenishment medications, stock Pyxis MedStations, and the safety/security of medications in transit; repackaging of medications and maintaining the appropriate records for final review; operate and maintain pharmacy equipment; answer routine inquires from medical staff. Sterile Product Compounding:
receives and reviews orders for IV admixtures and hyper alimentation, checking with the pharmacists if discrepancies such as an incomplete order are noted; calculate and converts to proper weights and measures, the amount of solution and drugs to be used, overfill for slight losses during mixture and the number of doses contained in the solution; follow strict sterile procedures that involve the use of special equipment (laminar air flow hood); recognize atypical occurrences in sterile product compounding such as change in color, consistency or presence of foreign particles. Bulk Compounding:
Responsible for manufacturing all products requiring compounding which are made in large batches for more than one patient, or small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order; interpretation of the providers orders, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients, mixing ingredients in a safe effective manner; inspecting the final product for accuracy and suitability, labeling the product, maintaining records of the manufacturing process, and supplying the product for delivery. Outpatient Dispensing:
Interpret prescription labels, preparation of prescriptions for dispensing for final review by a pharmacist; identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to possible nee for clinical intervention; bar coding of daily prescriptions filled and new refill requests; packs prescriptions to be mailed to patients including franking mail packages as appropriate (USPS, UPS, FedEx); answer direct/indirect inquires in relation to the status of prescriptions by patients or staff members; operate a complicated pharmacy equipment; maintains a clean, well-stocked and organized work area. Anticoagulation Clinic:
Performs work related to the aspects of preparing anticoagulation charts, computer data entry of appointments for lab and follow-up, and documents as required for final review by the pharmacist; must be familiar with the technical and administrative aspects of anticoagulation clinics; processes patients in the anticoagulation clinic whose INR is within the therapeutic range; calls no-shows and schedules these patients in a timely fashion; speaks slowly/distinctly when speaking with patients. May perform other duties as directed. Work Schedule:
10:
00am - 6:
30pm, Monday through Friday Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required THIS IS BARGAINING UNIT POSITION 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 of experience. 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:
Grade Requirement GS-2:
Education:
None beyond the basic requirement Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician/aide-training level position Grade Requirement GS-3:
Education or
Experience:
Completion of 1 year of post-high school coursework related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Ability to maintain appropriate files Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision Ability to communicate with patients and other health professions Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician/aide training level position. Grade Requirement GS-4:
Education or
Experience:
Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment Ability to operate pharmacy information systems Ability to maintain appropriate files Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision Assignment:
Pharmacy technicians at the GS-4 level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures and techniques. Grade Requirement GS-5:
Education or
Experience:
Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while service in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1-year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1-year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSA's). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique Knowledge of basic inventory procedures Knowledge of pharmacy information systems References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-2 to GS-5. Physical Requirements:
Heavy lifting:
45 pounds and over, Heavy carrying 45 pounds and over, use of fingers and both hands required. Must be able to walk for 4 hours, stand for 7 hours and repeated bending for 2 hours. Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other eye. Ability to distinguish basic colors and ability to distinguish shades of colors. Hearing required (aid permitted). Mental and emotional stability.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Unit Dose Medication Management:
Prepares inpatient orders in conjunction with the unit dose drug dispensing system for final check by a GS-6 technician or pharmacist; responsible for the delivery of all inpatient drugs to the unit areas, including unit dose, IV's, automatic replenishment medications, stock Pyxis MedStations, and the safety/security of medications in transit; repackaging of medications and maintaining the appropriate records for final review; operate and maintain pharmacy equipment; answer routine inquires from medical staff. Sterile Product Compounding:
receives and reviews orders for IV admixtures and hyper alimentation, checking with the pharmacists if discrepancies such as an incomplete order are noted; calculate and converts to proper weights and measures, the amount of solution and drugs to be used, overfill for slight losses during mixture and the number of doses contained in the solution; follow strict sterile procedures that involve the use of special equipment (laminar air flow hood); recognize atypical occurrences in sterile product compounding such as change in color, consistency or presence of foreign particles. Bulk Compounding:
Responsible for manufacturing all products requiring compounding which are made in large batches for more than one patient, or small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order; interpretation of the providers orders, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients, mixing ingredients in a safe effective manner; inspecting the final product for accuracy and suitability, labeling the product, maintaining records of the manufacturing process, and supplying the product for delivery. Outpatient Dispensing:
Interpret prescription labels, preparation of prescriptions for dispensing for final review by a pharmacist; identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to possible nee for clinical intervention; bar coding of daily prescriptions filled and new refill requests; packs prescriptions to be mailed to patients including franking mail packages as appropriate (USPS, UPS, FedEx); answer direct/indirect inquires in relation to the status of prescriptions by patients or staff members; operate a complicated pharmacy equipment; maintains a clean, well-stocked and organized work area. Anticoagulation Clinic:
Performs work related to the aspects of preparing anticoagulation charts, computer data entry of appointments for lab and follow-up, and documents as required for final review by the pharmacist; must be familiar with the technical and administrative aspects of anticoagulation clinics; processes patients in the anticoagulation clinic whose INR is within the therapeutic range; calls no-shows and schedules these patients in a timely fashion; speaks slowly/distinctly when speaking with patients. May perform other duties as directed. Work Schedule:
10:
00am - 6:
30pm, Monday through Friday Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required THIS IS BARGAINING UNIT POSITION 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 of experience. 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:
Grade Requirement GS-2:
Education:
None beyond the basic requirement Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician/aide-training level position Grade Requirement GS-3:
Education or
Experience:
Completion of 1 year of post-high school coursework related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Ability to maintain appropriate files Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision Ability to communicate with patients and other health professions Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician/aide training level position. Grade Requirement GS-4:
Education or
Experience:
Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment Ability to operate pharmacy information systems Ability to maintain appropriate files Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision Assignment:
Pharmacy technicians at the GS-4 level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures and techniques. Grade Requirement GS-5:
Education or
Experience:
Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while service in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1-year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1-year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSA's). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique Knowledge of basic inventory procedures Knowledge of pharmacy information systems References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-2 to GS-5. Physical Requirements:
Heavy lifting:
45 pounds and over, Heavy carrying 45 pounds and over, use of fingers and both hands required. Must be able to walk for 4 hours, stand for 7 hours and repeated bending for 2 hours. Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other eye. Ability to distinguish basic colors and ability to distinguish shades of colors. Hearing required (aid permitted). Mental and emotional stability.
- Department:
0661 Pharmacy Technician - Salary Range:
$25,479 to $45,393 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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