Summary Pharmacy Technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB (as CPhT) or NHA (as ExCPT) with advanced skills providing administrative, clerical, and clinical support to provide timely and quality pharmaceutical services at VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. Incumbent serves as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day operation of clinical pharmacy programs. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties includes but are not limited to: Reviews and verifies TriWest authorization for patients and CCN provider offices. Reviews and verifies required elements for each new hard-copy or electronic prescription from a CCN provider. Accurately transcribes prescription information into the appropriate pharmacy software package for final verification by a pharmacist. Documents all interactions and communication with providers/patients/caregivers in patient's electronic health record. Maintains knowledge of VA formulary and initiates prior-authorization process as appropriate. Reviews assigned clinical dashboards, maintains accurate records, and alerts appropriate staff for order entry/follow up as necessary. Maintains effective communication and works collaboratively with patients/caregivers, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other VA personnel, CCN providers and their office staff, contract vendors, and any third-party administrators to coordinate CCN prescriptions. Serves as a liaison between pharmacy and third-party administrators to provide coordinated care to patients. Educates CCN providers and their office staff about VA pharmacy services and standard procedures. Discusses patient needs with providers to ensure appropriate and reasonable utilization of VA formulary and resources. Performs all administrative duties associated with CCN prescriptions. Serves as technical advisor, support personnel and trainer to other pharmacy and medical center personnel as needed for CCN related activities. Assists in writing, updating, and implementing facility policies and procedures pertaining to pharmacy CCN program. Other duties as assigned by supervisor and also listed on functional statement. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (Incumbent may work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays and all rotating shifts as priorities demonstrate a need.) Functional Statement #: PD05029F Remote Job: No Telework Eligible: No Travel Required: Not required 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 examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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. 7403(f). 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). Grandfather Provision. A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Pharmacy Technician, GS-08 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). 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), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), as a 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: Individual must be a current Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT} with an understanding of the goals, objectives, and performance measures associated with the development, maintenance, and improvement of community care pharmacy programs. The Pharmacy Technician-Community Care is responsible for daily technical and administrative operations of the Community Care Pharmacy Programs. Incumbent possesses an extensive knowledge of CPRS and VISTA, pharmacy policies and procedures and outstanding Customer Service and computer skills, including but not limited to experience with Microsoft Word and Excel. Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G28 (November 7, 2023) 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 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. 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.
