Summary

This position is located within the Outpatient Pharmacy - Portland. The Pharmacy Technician (PT) serves as a representative of the Pharmacy Service in a variety of positions throughout the Medical Center.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)
• 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
• (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
• Grandfathering Provision
• Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-06
• (1) Education or Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level
• (2) Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice
• (b) Knowledge of preparation - storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation
• (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment
• (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures
• (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel
• (3) 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
• Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a highly mechanized warehouse setting around production machinery
• Moderate noise and traffic require attention to safety
• Some work areas involve a moderate risk requiring exercise of safety precautions when operating or working around the automated equipment (i.e. - accumulators - moving belts - etc.)
• Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory when handling specific medications and in certain areas of production or assignment
• The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion and activity - involving standing for prolonged periods of time on hard surfaces - lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs
• unassisted and bending/twisting/stooping/reaching
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional 1
• Adequate stock of pharmaceuticals and supplies for the areas assigned is maintained by communicating with the procurement personnel for items that are below par levels or out stock
• 2
• Usage of medications is monitored - and par levels are adjusted accordingly
• In addition - out of stock medications are communicated to the pharmacy supervisors and procurement staff at the time of discovery so that arrangements can be made to prevent delays in patient care
• 3
• All pharmacy areas are maintained according to facility and service level policies (e.g. - separate areas for high alert medications - proper disposal of corrugated cardboard - etc.)
• 4
• Assigned monthly ward inspections are thoroughly and consistently performed within established timeframe - including inspection of investigational drug areas - if assigned
• 5
• Recalled drugs are properly returned to Pharmacy Service - segregated - and secured to prevent re-dispensing
• 6
• Outdated - deteriorated - and damaged medications are disposed of in the appropriate pharmaceutical waste containers or placed inside the return bin for credit processing according to policy and procedures for reverse distribution
• 7
• Stock is rotated as necessary to utilize the shortest expiration date items first
• 8
• Packaging supplies are monitored and restocked by alerting procurement staff in a timely manner
• 9
• Refrigerators/freezers are monitored daily for adequate temperature control according to facility policies and procedures
• Appropriate action is initiated and documented for out-of range temperature - and problems are resolved in a timely manner to ensure no drug is wasted due to improper storage
• 10
• Equipment problems are identified and concerns are brought to the immediate attention of the supervisor and/or Informatics/Automation personnel
• Repackaging equipment is monitored daily to ensure safety and effectiveness
• Equipment is routinely cleaned and properly maintained and calibrated - according to policies and procedures and/or manufacturer recommendations
• 11
• Maintains a safe - clean - uncluttered work area in the storage and dispensing areas
• 12
• Prepares items necessary for storage according to policy and requirements
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 9:00am - 5:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized