Summary The primary functions of the Pharmacy Technician are to provide administrative, clerical, and basic clinical support to the pharmacist managed anticoagulation, CITC, and Weight Loss Clinics. This work includes laboratory value monitoring, medical chart / action profile poly-pharmacy reviews, drug utilization evaluation monitoring, telephone logistical support, supplemental patient education communication, scheduling support, and QA monitoring. Responsibilities Duties include, but are not limited to: Routinely reviews computer medication profile for prescription duplication, therapeutic duplication, prescription noncompliance, allergies / adverse drug reactions, changes in medications, health, alcohol consumption, signs and symptoms of bleeding or thromboembolic events, upcoming surgery or procedures, and falls. Reports identified patients to the assigned clinical pharmacist or supervisor for evaluation. Routinely reviews laboratory monitoring reports for selected disease states and identified patients with lab values beyond normal limits. Reports identified patients to the assigned clinical pharmacist for evaluation. Routinely performs patient medical chart, medication profile, and action profile reviews to identify poly-pharmacy situations. Reports identified patients to the assigned clinical pharmacist for evaluation. Provides supplemental reinforcement education for patients concerning operational issues or need for therapy compliance. Documents clinical and operational activities in CPRS and Vista. Assists in orientation of pharmacy learners (residents, pharmacy students) or new employees (pharmacists, new technicians). Helps review, process, or triage messages within the secure messenger app, message manager, or other VA communication tools to the clinical pharmacy specialist as indicated. Supplements clinical pharmacists in ensuring safe utilization of DOAC agents by reviewing and processing patient flags on the National VA DOAC Dashboard. Communicates with Veterans taking DOACs via telephone or letters to address potential non-adherence, facilitate the scheduling of labs at a VA facility, or identifying recent labs obtained within the community. Monitors the overdue for labs queue on the National VA DOAC Dashboard by reviewing CPRS, Vista images, or JLV for community-based labs. With the assistance of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, the technician will communicate with physicians / providers regarding DOAC orders that are without refills or expired. Provides clinical support through telephone and voicemail triage, appointment scheduling across multiple pharmacy clinics, e-faxing, and mailing. Reviews clinic consults and Return to Clinic (RTC) orders routinely to schedule new patients and follow-up visits. Ensures accurate documentation in both the CITC activity log and CPRS notes. Processes eRx prescriptions by verifying patient, provider, and medication information, confirming CITC coverage, and addressing rejected prescriptions according to established protocols. Monitors multiple clinics for records of patients who fail to show for scheduled appointments and initiate reminders to ensure continuum of care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Basic Requirements: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States 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: 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 (GS-07 and above): 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Pharmacy Technician, GS-08 Grade Requirements: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Experience includes mentoring and training lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting; assisting advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participating in performance improvement initiatives; using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy; functioning as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Preferred Experience: At least one year of recent experience in a current or previous job that includes anticoagulation management or hospital pharmacy. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Incumbent will be required to complete a driving physical. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. 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.
