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The VA Montana Health Care System, Pharmacy Service is currently recruiting for one (1) Pharmacy Technician, GS-0661-06, at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center, in Fort Harrison, Montana. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Grade Determinations:GS-06Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Physical Requirements: Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include but are not limited to: opening and packaging mail, restocking shelves, use of automation, computer work/typing, compounding sterile products, work with controlled substances and hazardous medications, and interactions (face-to-face and over telephone) with patients and staff. Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved may be extensive and challenging. ["Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services related to inpatient and/or outpatients. Pharmacy Technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions which include but are not limited to: Processing and filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices over-the-counter products, and supply items. Preparation and distribution of ward stock items. Inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items and intravenous admixtures. Operation, maintenance, restocking and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment. Patient and customer relations. Any individual technician may be required to perform some or all of the functions; however, the relative percentages of time spent performing each specific function varies somewhat with the area of assignment. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts for pharmacist review. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Responsible for the ward stock replenishment of oral, injectable and other medications into the Omnicell, and management of ward stock outdates. Completes monthly ward inspections to ensure approved ward stock drugs are properly stored. Responsible for manufacturing low and medium risk parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, etc. Consistently displays competence with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration, actual work performance and mandatory annual recertification. Follows all procedures for maintaining annual competency, handwashing, glove box or IV room cleaning and certification, and use and disposal of appropriate PPE. Prepackages tablets, capsules, liquids and ointments. Courteously receives prescriptions and refill requests from Veterans at the outpatient window and over the telephone. Answers telephone calls. Has the ability to answer routine inquiries from doctors, nurses and other professional staff. Directs more complex questions to the pharmacist on duty. Reviews eligibility of Veterans for window medication requests as required. Opens mail separating refills and new prescriptions for processing by the appropriate personnel Processes refill requests in the computer. Prefills prescriptions for dispensing by a pharmacist. Packs and wraps prescription and medical supplies for mailing to patients when volunteers are unavailable. Collects, processes, tabulates and maintains information for the Pharmacy Ward Stock. Participates in pharmacy's Quality Management program as assigned. Involved in inventory management as required; specific duties vary by duty station. Process prescription operations appropriately through the ScriptPro Inventory Management System (SIMS). Consistently maintains courteous, respectful, and cooperative relationships with management, coworkers, patients and the general public. Displays a cooperative attitude and works effectively with coworkers to implement the organization's mission and goals. Maintains established levels of productivity for the program area of responsibility Work Schedule: Various Shifts, Monday - Friday and Occasional weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52911-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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