Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Pharmacy Technician - Clinical Inpatient in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Summary The clinical pharmacy technician function is to provide administrative, clerical, clinical and technical support for the activities of a clinical inpatient pharmacist. This position assumes responsibility for clinical activities that do not require a pharmacist license or specialized expertise. This includes interacting with patients and health care team members to collect data about medication use, and to assist in the logistical aspects of the inpatient pharmacy team needs. Responsibilities Major Duties: Administrative and Clerical Assigns, analyzes, and evaluates necessary daily workflow and workload Evaluates problems and provides an appropriate solution or refers the problem expeditiously to a pharmacist when the problem is beyond the technician's level of knowledge or expertise Independently gathers, evaluates, and analyzes data and generates reports pertinent to inpatient pharmacy daily rosters and patients needing medication histories. Clinical Triages medication information requests from patients, family members, caregivers, and other healthcare team members through appropriate modality (phone, secure messaging, etc) and refers to other clinical staff when indicated Conducts routine patient medication history interviews via appropriate modalities (ie: VVC, telephone, in person, etc) to obtain and assess pertinent medical information and medication history Completes accurate and timely documentation of patient interaction in EHR using the appropriate note title and template, in compliance with business rules Quality Improvement Assists in identifying areas for improvement within the workflow of Clinical Inpatient Pharmacy where appropriate to facilitate the delivery of care to Veterans Assists in the development and updating of Minneapolis VA HCS Pharmacy policies and procedures Miscellaneous Completes annual mandatory training, competencies, and education as required Maintains courteous and collaborative communication with other members of the healthcare team Supports the Inpatient Pharmacy Care team through a combination of independent and interdependent tasks. Supports, participates, and contributes to the team's efforts and effectiveness. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday administrative days Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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. Certification: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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). Grade Determinations: Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Examples Below Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. Use of pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. Communication with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. -AND- In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-07 level, you must possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities? Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: Prefer candidates with 5 or more years of experience working with VHA electronic medical records, VHA patient medication history interviewing, and documenting within CPRS 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. Physical Requirements: You may 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. 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.