Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Jesse Brown VAMC, Chicago, IL.

The Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient) provides support to all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings such as delivery of medications to floors/ patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition and identifying when medications need to be ordered.

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 by38 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.

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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05).

Experience includes but not limited to: fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service for prescription needs; 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.

AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. 2.

Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. 3.

Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. 4. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. 5.

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.

Preferred Experience: 2 years Pharmacy Technician experience or currently enrolled in Pharmacy School 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: 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 (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies and bending/stooping/stretching.

Major Duties:

Medication Management: 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 and affixes proper label. Dispenses medication in a clinic, ambulatory care, dispensing window or discharge situations.

Inventories replenished emergency carts without a second view. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvements purposes and operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment.

Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. 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.

Maintains, verifies, stocks and replaces outdates in patient care area automated dispensing machines.

Properly handles medications by ensuring high alert, hazardous, refrigerated and controlled substance medications are handled/stored appropriately and legally.

Performs other duties as assigned and duties of lower graded technicians (If required) Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm; 9:30am - 6:00pm.

Rotating weekends and holidays 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00533F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized