Pharmacy Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System seeks a Pharmacy Technician at GS-7 level who can work autonomously with independent judgement and provide a full range of duties in the pharmacy.

You will mentor lower graded technicians, assist advanced technicians, and participate in performance improvement initiatives while ensuring accurate dispensing and patient safety.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles and independent work.
• Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions.
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians.
• Assist advanced/specialized pharmacy technicians.
• Use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy.
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives.

Skills

Pharmacy principles

Independent work

Train others

ADE troubleshooting

Job description

Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties at the Eastern Colorado Health Care System. Pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. Pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. 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. Be a citizen of the United States.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed.
• 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.
• Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR
  • National Healthcareer 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).

GS-7

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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 actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements:

The work involves long periods of sitting, standing, and walking. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting. The incumbent must be a mature, sensile individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating a positive attitude, compassion, courtesy and concern for staff and patients. Must possess math skills in order to convert medications to the correct dosing. The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves lifting 25 pounds or less, able to visually confirm drug order correctness, and able to stand for periods of 30 minutes or greater.