Summary
The pharmacy technician is a certified professional with the expectation to assist with daily tasks concerning care in the community (CITC) which may include receiving, assessing for appropriateness, and processing of all care in the community prescriptions (CCNRX) under the guidance of the Outpatient Clinical Pharmacist as well as other daily ancillary tasks.
Responsibilities
The pharmacy technician (Non-VA Care) will also be expected to assist the department with assignments including but not limited to the preparation, review, dispensing, control of medication, and other pharmaceutical products to patients. The pharmacy technician is expected to provide a variety of complex technical functions that requires the application of an extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practices. The pharmacy technician assists the pharmacist in providing optimal pharmaceutical care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision and goals of Battle Creek VA Medical Center/Wyoming CBOC. The employee is responsible for assuring facility compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory and accountability of controlled substances, hazardous medications, and non-hazardous medications. Functions of the Position Receives faxed, mailed, electronically prescribed, or delivered prescriptions written by Non-VA providers. Reviews CPRS to determine authorization of Non-VA Care by the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. Delivers prescriptions with an approved CITC consult to the assigned pharmacist for processing. Assists with initial entry of electronically received prescriptions for patients with an approved community care consult. Faxes prescriptions which do not have an approved community care consult to the associated PACT team. Completes a CITC Patient Information Sheet for veterans who have a community care approved consult, but the prescription will require additional follow-up (i.e. non-formulary request). Documents request for information within CPRS using the Community Care CCNRX Note template for interdepartmental communication. Follows up via phone and/or fax with Non-VA Provider regarding initiated communications concerning non-formulary/prior authorization medications, clarifications, or medication change requests Contacts patients with updates on Non-VA prescriptions and documents in CPRS Assists with non-VA prescription related phone calls not requiring a pharmacist Utilizes pharmacy information systems to answer patient or provider questions related to status of their prescription(s), completion date, package tracking, etc. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessments and action teams. Continually seeks to improve services. Maintains a current knowledge of national, state, and local laws, regulations, directives, policies and procedures pertaining to controlled substances. Monitors the status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtains assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise. Performs a variety of complex technical functions that require the application of an extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practices. Answers phone inquiries and independently solve problems and answer questions. Questions requiring Pharmacist intervention are appropriately directed. Assures cold packs/overnights/next day delivery packages are properly dispensed and record keeping maintained. Wrap parcels of medication and medical supplies in preparation for mailing. Receives and processes prescriptions presented for refill at the Outpatient Pharmacy windows. Assists the Procurement Technician by inventorying routine Pharmacy stock items for order preparation. Performs inventory management by receiving and checking in stock. Updates ScriptPro Inventory Management (SIM). Stores stock items appropriately. Fills orders with suitable quantities of medications and supplies, in compliance with medical center formulary regulations. Fills prescriptions for a very highly active pharmacy for a final check by Pharmacist using computerized workflow system. The technician will fill an amount of prescriptions per hour that reasonably compares to the average filled by all technicians filling similar prescriptions. Assembles prescriptions correctly with correct drug and strength, designated quantity, and prescription labels. Delivers and inventories stock and controlled substance stock, if applicable, for all automated dispensing equipment sites (i.e. MedSelect, ScriptPro, etc.) Maintains proper records of MedSelect medications and supplies issued to provide data for reports as needed. Works closely with the Pharmacy Supervisor or designee to respond to changing use patterns, maintains appropriate order forms, resolves problems, and meets special needs. The employee is responsible for maintaining machinery and equipment used in Pharmacy Service. This includes assembling and disassembling equipment so it may be cleaned, Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Hours may be extended or rotated based on the needs of the Veterans and Medical Center.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations:
GS-6 Pharmacy Technician
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.
- 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, 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 GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. The physical demands of the work includes moderate lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 44 lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, light lifting of under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required), walkin