Pharmacy Technician

Summary The pharmacy technician will provide technical support services within the pharmacy department at the Tallahassee VA Clinic - including providing customer service to Veterans and providers related to prescription needs - preparing prescriptions for patients in various settings by counting - pouring - weighing - measuring - or mixing the medications - dispensing and delivering medications - and using automated systems and electronic health records. Summary The pharmacy technician will provide technical support services within the pharmacy department at the Tallahassee VA Clinic - including providing customer service to Veterans and providers related to prescription needs - preparing prescriptions for patients in various settings by counting - pouring - weighing - measuring - or mixing the medications - dispensing and delivering medications - and using automated systems and electronic health records. 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 Citizenship Be a citizen of the United States Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with38 U.S.C. 7407(a) Education or Experience None required 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 Foreign Education To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials Grandfathering Provision Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date (11/07/23) of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 5 - VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates Pharmacy Technician - GS-06 Education or Experience One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs) In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment Knowledge of basic inventory procedures Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel Assignments Pharmacy technicians at the full performance level may fill orders - dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/patients - filling medications for the pharmacist to review - checking for expired medications - answering phones with appropriate disposition - preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. 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 involving moderate lifting/carrying (15-44 pounds) and walking/standing for 4 hours The work also involves working with hands in water - work closely with others - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid may be permitted) - use of fingers - both hands required - and be emotionally and mentally stable Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Duties Duties included but not limited to: Provide patients and/or caregivers with medication and supplies - as ordered by the provider Perform technical support work in the pharmacy under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and/or a full performance level pharmacy technician Fill prescriptions utilizing automation Package and/or dispense medications and supplies after a final check by a pharmacist Answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution Perform monthly inspections of assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and removal of soon-to-expire or expired medications Receive - check - rotate - and stock items received from pharmacy procurement section - identifying and reconciling any discrepancies to ensure the correct items have been received Monitor refrigerator - freezer - and/or room temperature and humidity in assigned areas - responding to alerts with appropriate correction or escalation as indicated Work Schedule: 8 hour rotational shifts including evenings - night - weekends and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 51236F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs