Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)

Description:

This position is for a certified pharmacy technician at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. The incumbent is expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding including hazardous drugs.

Requirements:

Preferred Experience: Possess a current Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or ExCPT with an understanding of the goals, objectives and performance measures associated with Pharmacy Operations. 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Education or Experience: Applicants must have a high school diploma ore equivalent; or at least 3 months of experience. Certification: Applicants must be certified by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. GS-7 Pharmacy Technician: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. This experience includes but is not limited to: Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice; Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation; Use of pharmacy information systems or operating pharmacy dispensing equipment; Knowledge of basic inventory procedures; Communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Assignment: 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. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by the health care facility.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards.

Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (45 pounds and greater) of pharmaceutical supplies, and pushing/bending/stooping/stretching.