Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-11489060-22-AK. The primary duties of this position are performed in the Residential Rehab Treatment Program (RRTP) which is a part of the Mental Health ambulatory care services on the North Little Rock campus of CAVHS. The incumbent must be a highly specialized, efficient, motivated and customer-friendly technician. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Grade Determinations: PHARMACY TECHNICIAN, GS-0661-7 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *- Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. - Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. - Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. - Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. - Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. - Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. - Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. - Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Preferred Experience: None. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The position is above full performance level (GS-7). Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, specific visual requirement (ability to read prescriptions), hearing (aid permitted). (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The duties of the Pharmacy Technician in the Pharmacy Service include but not limited to: Clinical Activities The clinical pharmacy technician shall provide support to the clinical operations of the RRTP Clinic and its clinical pharmacist. All duties of the Clinical Pharmacy Technician will be performed under the supervision of the assigned Clinical Pharmacist. Any clinical decision making will first be reviewed by the RRTP Clinical Pharmacist or completed in accordance with approved clinical pharmacy protocols. Assigned duties include: (1) Routinely reviews medication profile for prescription duplication, therapeutic duplication, prescription noncompliance, and allergies/adverse drug reactions. Reports identified patients to clinical pharmacist for evaluation. (2) Routinely performs patient medical chart and medication profile reviews to identify poly-pharmacy. Reports identified patients to assigned clinical pharmacist for evaluation. (3) Routinely performs Omni audits to ensure patients have received stored medications after discharge. Maintains Omni storage availability by destroying unwanted or abandoned medications at appropriate intervals. (4) Completes clinical pharmacy medication utilization evaluations and participates in other quality improvement processes and programs as assigned. (5) Conducts Medication Reconciliation interviews and enters notes into patient CPRS chart for the RRTP pharmacist to review/evaluate/sign. (6) Provides education for patients concerning operational issues or need for therapy compliance. Provides effective, protocol-based patient education at the direction of and with the supervision of the clinical pharmacist. (7) Conduct patient interviews, including medication history, need for medication refills, and investigating causes of therapeutic irregularities. (8) Communicate to patient medication changes per clinical pharmacist directions. (9) Performs various professional tasks on a rotational basis in the Outpatient and Clinical Sections as assigned. (10) Telephone Support: triaging incoming phone calls from patients, their family members, or other health care providers. Provides telephone contact and patient follow-up as assigned. (11) Technical Duties: completing electronic progress notes and consults, receiving consults and documenting data in VIST A/CPRS. (12) Make reminder phone calls to patients who left medications at the Medical Center after discharge. Follows up with appropriate disposition of medications which includes appropriate documentation. Uses clinical judgment and CPRS progress note review to determine which medications should not be sent back to the patient. Decisions are documented appropriately. (13) Documents productivity metrics relating to the position. (14) Routinely ensures patients have accurate up-to-date pill counts to ensure medication compliance. Maintains pill count spreadsheets and patient letters to ensure compliance with 30- day pill count requirements in RRTP. Routinely evaluate pill counts prior to dispensing of renewals or refills to ensure need for medication and prevent excess medication being obtained by patient, in order to comply with maximum 30- day supply limit of medications while patient is residing in RRTP. (15) Performs all duties of a Pharmacy Technician at the same or lower grade. Computer Data Entry: (1) Input refill and mail prescriptions into the computer in an accurate and timely manner after a pharmacist has reviewed the prescriptions for appropriateness. (2) Provide secondary review for the pharmacist by reviewing the order for patient allergies, eligibility, dosage, schedule, duration and instructions. The Clinical Pharmacy Technician will also provide a secondary back-up review for any potential drug-drug, drug-disease, drug-nutrient interactions, and therapeutic duplications as well as identifying any potential patient compliance problems. (3) Understand the function and activity of the computer and consult with clinical pharmacist as appropriate concerning operational or compliance ­related issues. (4) Prioritize operational and assigned clinical functions to provide the highest quality of patient care. (5) Report all potential patient or pharmacy distribution problems verbally and/or in writing as requested by the clinical pharmacist in the area assigned. (6) The Clinical Pharmacy Technician is responsible for accurate and timely entry of progress notes into CPRS. The technician will add the appropriate clinical pharmacist to the progress note as an additional signer. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 598-001902-F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]