Pharmacy Technician
Location: Augusta, Maine
Description: Department of Veterans Affairs is at present recruited Pharmacy Technician right now, this job will be presented in Maine. Further informations about this job opportunity kindly see the descriptions. Vacancy Identification Number
(VIN):
912427.
OUR MISSION:
To fulfill President Lincoln's
promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his!
widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are
America's Veterans.
The
VA Maine Healthcare System is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to process and fill
prescriptions, operate and maintain dispensing equipment; operate and use the
Pharmacy and VA information systems, maintains files and prepare sterile
compounds under supervision. This position is under Pharmacy Service Line.
We are an employer of choice that is the
center of excellence in patient care, education and research.
We value Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy,
Respect and Excellence.
We value you.
A
s a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With
many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of
opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the
largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the
Nation! , but we also provide many other services to Veterans through ! the
Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good
about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers
generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling
opportunities.
For more information on
the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to
http://www.vacareers.va.gov/
.
Note:
The full
performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy
is GS-6.
The Professional Standards
Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidateÂ's education and
experience and recommend the step at which the candidate will be placed.
The salary is based on the grade and step
approved for the selected candidate.
VA encourages persons with
disabilities to apply.
The health
related positions in VA are covered by Tit! le 38, and are not covered by the
Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Relocation
Expenses and Recruitment/Relocation incentives
are not authorized for this
position.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
U. S. Citizenship
Must pass pre-employment examination
English Language Proficiency required
Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
Background and-or Security Investigation required
DUTIES:
The incumbent performs may be assigned to one or a combination of the following duties when working outpatient duties:
-
Completes the processing of all prescriptions from the computer generated prescription document that includes, but is not limited to the following:
checks new prescription label for accuracy; Obtains correct stock container; Counts or pours correct amount of medication; prepackages medication into appropriate container; affixes prescription and a! ppropriate auxiliary labels to container, initialing prescription label! ; completes prescription control document including manufacturer, lot number, date filled, initials of technician and other information necessary to clarify the prescription document; requests check by pharmacists, and at this point, asks for pharmacist to initial any corrections or special instructions; and routes prescription for mail-out or window pick-up.
-
Packages processed medications for mailing to patients, completing the appropriate documents (i.e., registered mail slip, etc.).
-
Uses computer packages to determine patient eligibility from computer data, updates patient information, and provides technical information to customers when assigned.
-
Performs a variety of bulk compounding including, but not limited to ointments, lotions, solutions, etc.
Uses a variety of pharmaceutical equipment.
Refers to master formula cards for preparation instructions.
Reports any unusual occurrence, ! i.e., color or consistency change, to pharmacist and makes adjustments accordingly.
-
Files, on a daily basis, all prescription and computer generated documents in an accurate and complete manner to allow for immediate retrieval.
-
Restocks, on a daily basis, each filling station with the following:
vials, prepackaged medications, stocks miscellaneous items such as antacids, syringes, etc.
Also, assumes that filling station has all necessary equipment for daily operation.
-
Maintains cleanliness and orderliness of pharmacy by cleaning of glassware, spatulas, bottles, shelves, counters, cabinets and all other items or areas associated with prescription processing.
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Understands principles of inventory control; monitors for changes in pattern of use, notifying pharmacy procurement staff if levels appear to be inappropriate (i.e., too low, too high, out of stock).
-
Deal! s appropriately with direct and telephone inquiries from patients, Medi! cal Center staff and others referring any unanswerable questions concerning professional practice to a pharmacist.
Questions of an informational nature should be answered rather than delegated.
To answer informational questions, incumbent will utilize available references.
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Verifies patient identification when dispensing medication at pharmacy window. Correctly matches patient's social security number to number on package of medication dispensed.
-
Has working knowledge for care and operation of the Automated Prescription Filling Machine (Optifill).
Inpatient Pharmacy
The incumbent may be assigned to one or a combination of the following duties when working inpatient duties:
·
Processing of ward replenishment orders for all wards and clinics; delivery back to these wards on scheduled days.
Able to read and interpret requests independently, seeking advice from a pharmacist wh! en requests are unclear.
·
Monitors ward stock levels, informs pharmacists and supervisor when levels seem to be inappropriate or excessive.
·
Distribution of narcotics and controlled drugs to respective wards on scheduled days.
·
Reviews and restocks replenishment inventory on all drugs in the automated dispensing cabinets (Documented) on scheduled days assuring that stock is rotated and outdated items are removed from inventory.
·
Maintenance of proper stock levels both in the Inpatient Pharmacy and in other stock areas; notification to procurement technician when levels are inappropriate; rotating stock and checking assigned areas for outdated stock.
·
Filling of extemporaneous orders presented to Pharmacy Service by hospital personnel and charging items in VISTA computer package in DHCP.
·
I.V. Room Duties:
Persons assigned to work in IV Room will! have received training in aseptic technique and handling of hazardous ! drugs.
Incumbent will demonstrate proficiency in preparation of oncology medications and other sterile products, proficiency in calculation appropriate volumes to provide accurate dosing.
Incumbent will demonstrate knowledge and ability to compound complex solutions, such as parenteral nutrition orders.
1.
Prepares sterile solutions, including chemotherapy and hyper-alimentation (which need various sterile intravenous additives) for dispensing to individual patients.
2.
Sets up the additives, primary sterile solution, and the miscellaneous accessories such as needles, syringes, for a check by the pharmacist. Those preparations, approved for mixing by the pharmacist are prepared in a laminar flow hood using aseptic techniques.
3.
The final product is set aside for inspection by the pharmacist.
Any discrepancies, such as incompatibility, floaters or precipitates are brought to the attention of th! e pharmacist. The appropriate corrections, if any, are noted on the medication order.
4.
In the course of setting up the preparation for mixing, calculations and conversions of proper weights and measures are made by the incumbent.
5.
Responsible for ensuring supplies (i.e., solutions, injections, needles, syringes, etc.) are maintained at sufficient levels.
6.
Ensures that monthly quality assurance testing is performed in the sterile preparation areas.
·
Unit-Dose Duties:
1.
Incumbent will compile pick-lists using the VISTA Unit Dose package and upon completion of compilation, send pick-list to the automated packaging machine for processing.
S/he will then fill individual patient cassettes from the prepackaged unit-dosed drugs.
2.
Incumbent will observe and monitor pick lists for accuracy in dosing and will notify the pharmacist to correct inappropriate o! rders.
3.
Cassettes are checked for accuracy by a pha! rmacist and delivered to wards according to posted schedules.
4.
Upon return to the pharmacy, the technician will be responsible for crediting any returns and filing completed pick lists into VISTA.
5.
Incumbent will be responsible for pre-packing unit dose drugs utiÂlizÂing the automated packaging machine.
·
When assigned, the incumbent will completÂe the monthly ward/clinic inspections in a timely fashion, will note findings on inspection form, and will discuss findings with nurse in charge at the time of the inspection.
ADP Security:
In the performance of official duties, the employee has regular access to printed and electronic file containing sensiÂtive data which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federÂal regulaÂtions, VA statutes and policy, and VHS policy.
The employee is responsible for (1) protecting that data from un! auÂthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthoÂrized deletion and (2) following applicable regulaÂtions and instrucÂtions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in a comÂputer access agreement which the employee signs.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; Saturday/Sunday/Holidays 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (rotating).
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
-
Citizenship.
C
itizen
of the United States.
-
Education
or Experience.
A
high school diploma or equivalent; or
at least 3 months experience.
-
Certification.
Certification by the
National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades
GS-6 and above.
-
English Language Proficiency.
Pharmacy technicians
appointed to direct patient car! e positions must be proficient in spoken and
written English.
Preferred Experience:
Inpatient and
outpatient experience including: work in IV Room; aseptic training,
handling/disposing hazardous drugs, handling sterile products, calculating
appropriate volumes to provide accurate dosing; and demonstrating technical
knowledge and ability to performing more highly complex duties including
preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND
SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
GS-6
Experience.
One year experience at the next lower level
performing inpatient/outpatient technical duties,
and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level
.
Experience includes ability to operate and
care for automated dispensing devices and equipment; knowledge of, and ability
to perform, aseptic technique; knowl! edge of basic inventory procedures; and
knowledge of pharmacy information.
Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician
is credited according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For
example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for
each 2 weeks of half-time work. To be creditable, pharmacy technician
experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment
reference, or through other independent means.
In addition, the candidate must
demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
Demonstrated
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
-
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 compou! nding with aseptic technique for hazardous
materials such as oncolo! gy 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.
-
Knowledge of the computerized prescription
process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication
orders.
Certification.
PTCB certification is
required at this grade level and above.
References
: VA Handbook
5005/23, Part II, Appendix G28, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
QUALIFICATION STANDARD
, dated March 2006.
PLEASE NOTE:
Education must be accredited by an
accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order
for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a
positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only
at! tendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify
accreditation at the following website:
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
All education claimed by
applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you
are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a
Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive
credit for that education.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The work requires regular
and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of
time, liftÂing/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lb., and
bending/stooping.
Veterans'
Preference:
When
applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the
Occupational Questionnaire ! in the section provided and provide a legible copy
of your DD214(s)! and/or documentation related to your active duty service which
shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or
dates of impending separation.
Additionally,
disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows
or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application
for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the
form. For more information, please review the information for disabled
Veterans in the application
checklist
or visit
http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx
.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Your
application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration
for employment.
BENEFITS:
Working
for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comp! rehensive benefits
package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life
insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the
Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional
"dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to
help balance work and life. For more information please
visit us at
http://www.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp
.
OTHER INFORMATION:
This job
opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This
position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive
status.
- .
If you were eligible to this job, please deliver us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department of Veterans Affairs.
Interested on this job, just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This job starts available on: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 11:33:15 GMT
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