Pharmacy Technician

To qualify for this position, internal Tomah VA applicants must meet all requirements within 15 days of the closing date of this announcement.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience associated with the scope of Pharmacy Technician practice.

02Certification

Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at the GS-6 level and above. A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS.

GS-08 GRADE REQUIREMENTS Specialized Experience: Must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower level (GS-07) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

You must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-7 level which includes: 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; and, knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders.

AND You must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities: 1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5.

Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

03Preferred Experience

Proficient in Microsoft 365 software including Word, Excel, Outlook. Prefer individual with Cerner/ Oracle experience.

04Physical Requirements

Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include, but are not limited to: significant computer work/typing, prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without significant difficulty.

Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging.

Major Duties: Community Care Prescription Support: Receives faxed, mailed, electronically prescribed, or delivered prescriptions written by Non-VA providers and documents all received prescriptions in electronic health records. Utilizes electronic health records, or other related sites to determine authorization of Non-VA Care by the Tomah VA Medical Center.

Communicates with patients concerning prescriptions received from unauthorized provider visits and handles prescriptions appropriately, whether forwarding to primary care provider, returning to patient, and/or documenting in electronic health records. Reviews authorized prescriptions for appropriateness using pharmacy technician knowledge, as well as knowledge concerning the national drug formulary and local VA formulary requirements.

Communicates with Non-VA physicians and nurses to request clarification of prescriptions or medication changes due to VA formulary and forwards all changes and clarifications to a licensed pharmacist to receive from the Non-VA representative, and documents these actions in electronic health records. Initiates the non-formulary/prior authorization process with the Non-VA provider and records needed documentation in electronic health records.

Follows up via phone and/or fax with Non-VA Provider regarding initiated communications concerning non-formulary/prior authorization medications, clarifications, or medication change requests frequently, and documents in electronic health records. Enters non-formulary or prior authorization consult requests in electronic health records for review and completion by the reviewing Pharmacist, after all needed documentation has been received.

Inputs authorized prescriptions or prepares electronically prescribed medications in electronic health record for the review and verification by a Clinical Pharmacist. Contacts patients with updates on Non-VA prescriptions and documents in electronic health records. Files all prescriptions for easy retrieval on the Pharmacy shared (S) drive.

Assists in the tracking and shipping of Non-VA prescribed controlled substances, as well as all Non-VA prescribed medications mailed from the Tomah VA Pharmacy or Charleston Consolidated Mail-Out Pharmacy (CMOP). Communicates with Procurement Pharmacist or Procurement Technician when specialty medications need to be ordered.

Initiates requests for medications from specialty pharmacies, releases medication once delivery confirmation received, files prescription packet appropriately, and communicates with procurement team regarding delivery receipt confirmation. Controlled Substance Non-VA Prescription Support Telephone Triage Outpatient Drug Distribution Operates as procurement/CS backup Work Schedule: Full-time; M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required