Pharmacy Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to support all pharmacy operations across multiple settings, including outpatient dispensing, clinic, and phone center. Applicants may be referred while meeting licensure/certification requirements.

Responsibilities include preparation, storage, distribution of medications, and use of pharmacy information systems. Certification through PTCB or NHA is required for the GS-07 level.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings, including outpatient dispensing, phone center, outpatient clinic and administration areas.
• Assist with primary care, specialty care, geriatric care, emergency care, women's clinic and mental health services as assigned.
• Interact with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel and ensure safe medication distribution.

Education

No formal education required

Job description

This position is located within the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA. This position provides support for all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings. This includes patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, phone center, outpatient clinic, administration area, or other area as assigned by the supervisor. These services include but are not limited to primary care, specialty care, geriatric care, emergency care, women's clinic, mental health, and many more. 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. None required.
• Certification.
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR
  • National Health career 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).

Grade Determinations

Experience Requirement:

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06).

• 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.

-AND- Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

• PTCB as a CPhT. OR
• NHA as a ExCPT.

-AND- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-07 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:

• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
• Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
• Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.

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-07.

Physical Requirements:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.