Pharmacy Technician
Duties for Pharmacy Technician, include but are not limited to:
Duties to include all aspects of hospital pharmacy, both inpatient and outpatient 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; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care, pass or discharge situations. For unit-dose medications, performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit-dose carts), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. After prescription/order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Enters correct drug, strength, dosage form, and quantity into the patient's medication profile (DHCP or otherwise). Someone authorized to verify accuracy subsequently reviews the medication profile for accuracy. Performs final verification of simple, non-sterile compounds prepared by lower level technicians. 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. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Monitors medications of veterans assigned to Health Maintenance Clinic on a daily basis to assure they have a proper supply of medications to set up meds, as well as monitor compliance on a monthly basis. Conducts monthly ward inspection of patient care areas. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdates in patient care area Sure Med machines. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas, relays this information to the Materials Management Pharmacy Technician. Orders inventory needs during his/her absence. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Monitors refrigerator temperature on a daily basis in-patient care areas. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, if required. Preparing and filling all inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances. Receives new stock and returned stock into inventory by ensuring the accuracy of controlled drug records. Conducts regularly scheduled inventories and interacts with controlled substance inspection officials, Is authorized and executes authority to initiate and complete all orders for controlled drugs, including local requirements, VACO directives, DEA requirements (including completing DEA forms), and other state and local requirements that apply. Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to supervisor. Provides controlled substance training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, students, etc. Work Schedule:
The position is primarily day shift with occasional evenings, weekends and holidays Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. 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:
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. Preferred
Experience:
PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician with 3 to 5 years hospital and recent IV compounding experience. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-6. Physical Requirements:
Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (3 hours); Standing (4 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted).
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Duties to include all aspects of hospital pharmacy, both inpatient and outpatient 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; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care, pass or discharge situations. For unit-dose medications, performs final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit-dose carts), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. After prescription/order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Enters correct drug, strength, dosage form, and quantity into the patient's medication profile (DHCP or otherwise). Someone authorized to verify accuracy subsequently reviews the medication profile for accuracy. Performs final verification of simple, non-sterile compounds prepared by lower level technicians. 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. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Monitors medications of veterans assigned to Health Maintenance Clinic on a daily basis to assure they have a proper supply of medications to set up meds, as well as monitor compliance on a monthly basis. Conducts monthly ward inspection of patient care areas. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdates in patient care area Sure Med machines. Monitors inventory needs in-patient care areas, relays this information to the Materials Management Pharmacy Technician. Orders inventory needs during his/her absence. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Monitors refrigerator temperature on a daily basis in-patient care areas. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, if required. Preparing and filling all inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances. Receives new stock and returned stock into inventory by ensuring the accuracy of controlled drug records. Conducts regularly scheduled inventories and interacts with controlled substance inspection officials, Is authorized and executes authority to initiate and complete all orders for controlled drugs, including local requirements, VACO directives, DEA requirements (including completing DEA forms), and other state and local requirements that apply. Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to supervisor. Provides controlled substance training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, students, etc. Work Schedule:
The position is primarily day shift with occasional evenings, weekends and holidays Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. 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:
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. Preferred
Experience:
PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician with 3 to 5 years hospital and recent IV compounding experience. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-6. Physical Requirements:
Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (3 hours); Standing (4 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted).
- Department:
0661 Pharmacy Technician - Salary Range:
$42,308 to $54,828 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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