Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions listed, and include, but are not limited to:
inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items intravenous admixtures stock management operation, maintenance, re-stocking and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment processing filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items patient and customer relations preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports. The incumbent may be required to perform some or all of the functions; however the relative percentages of time spent performing each specific function varies with the area of administrative assignment. The incumbent must possess technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers' orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose prepared and/or distributed. Working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available, to be able to screen drug orders for propriety and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems. Working knowledge of hospital computer system(s), specifically the applicable Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Class-III software applications and processing options (e.g., Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), unit dose, outpatient prescription processing, IV admixtures, etc.) and a thorough knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance and minor repair of automated dispensing equipment. Assignments involve the preparation/review/distribution/storage and control of medications/other pharmaceutical products to inpatient and outpatient treatment units and research investigators. The work product directly affects the health of inpatients and outpatients. Work Schedule:
Rotating 8 hour shifts, 6am to 10pm 7 days per week Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (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. (1) Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. (2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. (3) Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of fulltime credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level 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:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
Experience - One year experience at the next lower level, GS-05 or equivalent serving as a staff pharmacy technician receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures, and requiring minimal supervision operating and caring for automated dispensing devices and equipment, performing aseptic technique, basic inventory procedures, and pharmacy information systems. AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 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. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Assignment. 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 full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements:
The work is performed in an office setting. However, there is exposure to communicable disease, varying patients and distraught visitors and family members. The work is mostly sedentary, involves receiving and placing calls to customers, data entry into VISTA and CPRS programs. The work environment receiving involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items intravenous admixtures stock management operation, maintenance, re-stocking and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment processing filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items patient and customer relations preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports. The incumbent may be required to perform some or all of the functions; however the relative percentages of time spent performing each specific function varies with the area of administrative assignment. The incumbent must possess technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers' orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose prepared and/or distributed. Working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available, to be able to screen drug orders for propriety and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems. Working knowledge of hospital computer system(s), specifically the applicable Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Class-III software applications and processing options (e.g., Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), unit dose, outpatient prescription processing, IV admixtures, etc.) and a thorough knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance and minor repair of automated dispensing equipment. Assignments involve the preparation/review/distribution/storage and control of medications/other pharmaceutical products to inpatient and outpatient treatment units and research investigators. The work product directly affects the health of inpatients and outpatients. Work Schedule:
Rotating 8 hour shifts, 6am to 10pm 7 days per week Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (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. (1) Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. (2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. (3) Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of fulltime credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level 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:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
Experience - One year experience at the next lower level, GS-05 or equivalent serving as a staff pharmacy technician receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures, and requiring minimal supervision operating and caring for automated dispensing devices and equipment, performing aseptic technique, basic inventory procedures, and pharmacy information systems. AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 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. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Assignment. 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 full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements:
The work is performed in an office setting. However, there is exposure to communicable disease, varying patients and distraught visitors and family members. The work is mostly sedentary, involves receiving and placing calls to customers, data entry into VISTA and CPRS programs. The work environment receiving involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated.
- Department:
0661 Pharmacy Technician - Salary Range:
$38,921 to $50,598 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
