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.

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.

Duties

• 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