Pharmacy Technician (Procurement Support)

Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Asheville
Posted on: May 15, 2022

Job Description:

Summary The Pharmacy Technician (Procurement Support) is located at the Charles George VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC, and serves as staff pharmacy technicians performing technical support to inpatient, outpatient, and procurement sections of the Pharmacy. Responsibilities Duties of the Pharmacy Technician (Procurement Support) include, but are not limited to: Medication Management System: Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care, pass or discharge situations. For unit-dose medications, performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit-dose carts), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. After prescription/order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Enters correct drug, strength, dosage form, and quantity into the patient's medication profile (DHCP or otherwise). Someone authorized to verify accuracy subsequently reviews the medication profile for accuracy. Performs final verification of simple, non-sterile compounds prepared by lower level technicians. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas, relays this information to the Procurement Pharmacy Technician. Orders inventory needs during his/her absence. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Prepares Sterile or Intravenous Additive Solutions. Applies rigid aseptic techniques in preparing sterile solutions. Uses proper sterile techniques to ensure the solution is not contaminated and potentially dangerous to the patient. Prioritizes drug orders according to established pharmacy procedures. Demonstrates the knowledge and skill to operate automated equipment within pharmacy services. Procurement: Creates purchase orders through Daily Supply Management Online Orders (SMO), Government Purchase Card, VISTA request, or Purchase Agent Order via Prime Vendor Internet Computer, IFCAP or credit card. Maintains accurate records of purchases, and control of purchase card is subject to quarterly Fiscal Service review. Identifies sources for purchase according to active contracts and specific ordering protocols and regulations. Conducts market research considering competitive pricing, quality, availability, and other issues to locate appropriate vendor to determine best value and relays findings to other procurement personnel. Keeps current on contracts, product availability, and prices to identify appropriate sources and ensures most cost-effective products are purchased according to Federal Supply Schedule. Work Schedule: 40 hours per week: 7:00a-3:30pm, 8:00am-4:30pm, 9:00am-6:00pm, rotating weekends, holidays, other tours Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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. 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). IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level (GS-5): 1. Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. 2. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. 3. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. 4. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) (GS-06): 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. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: This position may involve potentially extended periods of sitting, standing, carrying of items weighting up to 20 pounds; i.e., files, medical records, and manuals. In general, the work does not require special physical demands. 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position. 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.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Asheville , Pharmacy Technician (Procurement Support), Healthcare , Asheville, North Carolina