Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient/Outpatient)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Iron Mountain (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Oscar G Johnson VA Healthcare System in Michigan is seeking a certified pharmacy technician at the full performance level GS-7. Technicians at this grade are nationally certified (PTCB or ExCPT) and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties and patient care support.

At the GS-7 level, incumbents may mentor and train lower grade technicians, participate in performance improvement, and assist in non-traditional pharmacy locations with minimal supervision

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship required.
• English proficiency in speaking and writing as required by law.
• Certification (GS-07 and above) – must hold active national certification (PTCB or ExCPT).

Responsibilities

• Mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting.
• Dispense medication following all regulations and procedures.
• Troubleshoot ADE and technology platforms/databases.

Skills

Pharmacy procedures

Independent judgment

Mentoring others

Problem solving

Tools

PTCB Certified

ExCPT Certified

Job description

This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level GS-7 at the Oscar G Johnson VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. 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.
• English Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)
• Education or Experience:
  • a. None required.
  • b. 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 (GS-07 and above): For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
  • a. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). (MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF CERTIFICATION)
  • b. National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). (MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF CERTIFICATION)

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, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06) Federal or Non Federal.

GS-7 Level:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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.

Assignments

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These 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. At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight.

Certification

PTCB or NHA certification is required at this grade level and above.

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

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.