Summary

Employees serving as a Pharmacy Technician in the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Clinical Contact Center are part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. All assigned clinical activities and functions will be completed in accordance with approved pharmacy protocols.

Qualifications

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
• 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)
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• GS-7 Pharmacy Technician Grade Determinations: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower 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: PTCB as a CPhT
• OR NHA as a ExCPT
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles - practices - concepts and theories providing for sound independent work
• (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent
• (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team - Veterans and external customers
• (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students
• (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations - policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution
• (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases
• Preferred Experience: Two years of outpatient or retail pharmacy experience
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced work environment
• Very strong customer service skills
• Ability to self-resolve technical/computer issues
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination
• Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties
• Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy - regulation - or statute.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional *This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.* Duties include but are not limited to the following: Works collaboratively with VISN programs - services - and interdisciplinary team members to provide access to care and meet the need of Veterans - their family members and/or legal representatives via various available contact modalities to include - but not limited to - telephone calls - secure messaging - chat - text messaging - and video regarding a broad range of topics including medication refills and renewals - basic billing inquiries - and procedural pharmacy activities
• Routinely reviews computer medication profiles for therapeutic duplication - prescription non-compliance - allergies - and drug interactions
• Seeks assistance with identified individuals from a Clinical Pharmacist or supervisor for further evaluation - if needed
• Processes and submits patient requests for new prescription orders and renewal requests - including controlled substances - into the computer accurately - thoroughly - and in a timely manner
• Uses approved VISN Clinical Contact Center Pharmacy protocols when appropriate to satisfy patient medication requests
• Consistently documents patient contact and resolution in VISN Clinical Contact Center software and/or the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to include - but not limited to - what was requested - what action was taken - and any other information which may be pertinent during future research
• Assists in the documentation of medication variances
• Assists in training for lower graded technicians and technician students
• Assists in the completion of workload for other VISN Clinical Contact Center Pharmacy Services in the event of natural disasters - low staffing - or other contingency needs
• Performs all duties of lower graded technicians - if required Actively and diligently treats all Veterans with respect and utmost dignity
• Seeks to solve Veteran's concerns at first contact
• When required - refers to other VA resources to assist in the resolution process
• Always resolves all Veteran issues in a timely and caring manner with emphasis on providing first contact resolution
• Seeks assistance from designated Lead Technician - a pharmacist or supervisor when responding to unusual questions or when reasonable attempts to satisfy a caller have been unsuccessful
• Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files
• Ensures Electronic Health Record (EHR) access to all sites serviced are maintained
• Participates in continuous daily improvement and VISN VA Health Connect initiatives
• Maintains National Pharmacy Technician Certification
• Completes additional duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Various tours available
• 6:45am-7:15pm PST 7 days a week
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 applicable - this is a remote position
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 99329-S Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized