Pharmacy Technician

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. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education or Experience. (1) None required. (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Certification-Documentation Submitted. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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). Pharmacy Technician, GS-08. (1) Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below. (2) Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area in the Definitions Section. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

This position serves as the Lead Outpatient Pharmacy Technician at the Lake Nona Medical Center. The incumbent is expected to be able perform all duties related to provision of pharmaceutical care that can be completed by a GS-6 or GS-7 Pharmacy Technician. The pharmacy technician will serve as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day technician duties of their area. General Performs all duties of GS-6 and GS-7 Pharmacy Technicians. Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification. Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create optional work areas. Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound alike, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids, and refrigerated items. Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received. Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt. Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements. Lead Technician The lead pharmacy technician assists pharmacy supervisor in quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Assess workload volume throughout the day, identify backlogs, and makes staffing adjustments as needed to meet organizational goals. Identify areas of duplication of efforts and develop solutions to streamline processes, reduce waste, cost savings, and improve patient care. Responsible for organizing and assisting the pharmacy technician team to ensure assigned tasks are timely and accurately completed for their program area. Promote harmonious relationships within the work environment and support the needs of the team and customer. Listens to informal complaints of employees and other customers in a helpful and timely fashion. If not able to remedy a situation, the lead will notify the pharmacy supervisor. Assists in training and orientating new and existing pharmacy technicians and students on policy and procedures. Identify and report developmental and training needs to ensure safety and quality control for their program area. Develops training schedules and assists in maintaining documentation for all pharmacy technicians and students. Effectively evaluates pharmacy activities to assist management to obtain short and long-range objectives and goals. Conduct technician meetings to assure proper updates of departmental and hospital communications. Assist in the development of policies and procedures and participate in departmental goal planning and quality improvement activities. Maintain competence by participating in staff development programs. Serves as on-line back up to other pharmacy technicians within the designated area of pharmacy. The incumbent will serve as the point of contact to facilitate the scheduling and timely completion of all monthly ward inspections and stock expiration audits. The incumbent will assist with all pharmaceutical reverse distribution efforts, including but not limited to, proper storage of medications held for reverse distribution, documentation, maximization of returns for credit, shipping, and communication with reverse distribution vendors. The incumbent supports pharmacy procurement needs and serves as a potential back up. Has operational responsibility for ongoing inventories of drug products and pharmaceutical supplies and their procurement. Work Schedule: Rotating. Employees may be required to work day, evening, night, weekend, holiday and or compressed, tours on a rotating schedule. The hours may vary per the needs of the service and will rotate, on a fair and equitable basis, to include weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 81987F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized