Summary This Outpatient Pharmacy Technician position is located within the Jesse Brown VAMC. This position provides support to all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings. The Outpatient Pharmacy Technician provides support to all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings. This includes patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, phone center, outpatient clinic, administration area, or other area as assigned by the supervisor. Responsibilities Functions or scopes of practice: Reads and interprets prescriptions from the veteran electronic health record systems (EHRS) or in written format. Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed with regard to drug, strength, quantity, or appropriate supply item. Dispenses medications following all regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution. Uses Automatic Dispensing machines (ADM) to batch and label medications. Ensure ScriptTalk labels are batched if needed. Assists with automated or manual inventory processes that include but are not limited to inventory counts, medication ordering, stocking, checking for outdates, pulling outdates, pulling recalled medications, inspections or any other activity related to the supply of VA medications. Pharmacy Phone System Accurately collects and clarifies patient information. Capable of synthesizing patient information to identify basic therapeutic, distributive, or medication related problems. Understands when to alert pharmacists for problems. Communicates information accurately in the electronic health record or other formats. Pharmacy Mail System Fills medication "to be mailed" in accordance with description provided in the medication distribution section. Ensures prescription label matches mailing label and maintains accuracy in other software or paper systems. Assists with other medication distribution activities as directed by pharmacist, supervisor or as delineated as part of the shift responsibility. Medication Management System Assists in quality improvement projects as an individual or on assigned teams to improve pharmacy service. Assists to complete required pharmacy reporting obligations as directed. Maintains pharmacy security. This includes the physical security of the pharmacy and the security of electronic records. Maintains accountability for tour of duty. This includes being ready for their tour of duty at the start of their shift, and being on time as they return from lunch, breaks, or other assigned meetings and activities. Controlled Substances (CS) - if assigned Fills "CS medication" in accordance with description provided in the medication distribution section. Accurately maintains a rolling inventory in automation and performs a complete inventory every 72 hours per VA guidelines. Able to run reports such as "Monthly CII Script Processing Detail Reports" or other reports as needed. Verify inventory with VA Logistics Officer and accurately stocks ADM with new inventory. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm, 9:30am - 6:00pm, Rotating weekends and holidays: 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00536F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR, (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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). In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following: Grade Determinations: GS-07 Outpatient Pharmacy Technician Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level demonstrate the KSAs below. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. 2. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. 3. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. 4. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. 5. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. 6. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: 1 year Pharmacy Technician experience 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Capable of sustained standing, walking, lifting and other procedures necessary to procure or delivery medications and supplies. The work involves long periods of moving, standing and pushing carts about the work unit. The requires regular and recurring bending lifting, stooping, stretching, and lifting. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.