Pharmacy Technician- Anticoagulation

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Allied Health Professionals The primary functions of the Clinical Pharmacy Technician include laboratory value monitoring, medical chart/pharmacy profile poly-pharmacy reviews, medication use evaluation monitoring, pharmacoeconomic reviews, telephone logistical support, supplemental patient education communication, and prescription order entry (with pharmacist verification).

This technician, functions under the matrix of an Anticoagulation Clinic Service (ACS), directly reports to the PACT Pharmacy Supervisor. Provides and supports clinical and pharmacoeconomic activities as assigned.

Reviews the computer medication profile for prescription duplication, therapeutic duplication, prescription noncompliance, and allergies/adverse drug reactions. Review's laboratory monitoring reports for selected disease states and identifies patients with values outside of the normal limits.

Performs patient medical chart and medication profile reviews to identify poly­ pharmacy problems. Reports identified problems to the assigned clinical pharmacist practitioner for evaluation. Completes clinical pharmacy medication utilization evaluations and protocol-driven clinical pharmacist practitioner peer review.

Provides supplemental reinforcement education for patients concerning operational issues or the need for compliance with therapy. Documents clinical and operational activities as assigned. Provides pertinent documentation on patient's medical record, as appropriate. Participates in Performance Improvement processes and programs as assigned.

Conducts patient interviews, including medication history, anticoagulation history, and effectiveness of anticoagulation, need for medication refills, and investigates causes of therapeutic irregularities. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, if assigned.

Performs technician functionality utilizing electronic software (i.e., Vista and CPRS) to provide patient care.

Notifies anticoagulation Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) when complications related to anticoagulation therapy are identified, including bleeding or thromboembolic events or when a patient reports changes to medications or significant changes to diet or health status.

Inputs refills for window or mail prescriptions into the computer system after the prescriptions have been reviewed for appropriateness by a pharmacist. Provides secondary review for the pharmacist by reviewing the order for allergies, eligibility, dosage, schedule, duration, and instructions.

Provides 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. Consults with the clinical pharmacist as appropriate concerning operational or compliance-related issues.

Reports all potential patient or pharmacy distribution problems verbally and/or in writing as requested by the clinical pharmacy specialist in the assigned area. Assists in maintenance of clinic supplies needed for clinic operation. Checks daily for missed check-outs and no shows.

Troubleshoots and attempts to resolve patient discrepancies and judge adherence to appointment schedules. Enters orders for lab tests (signature by clinical pharmacist practitioner required). Assists the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in reporting Adverse Drug Reactions, Medication Errors, and Close calls.

Provides in-service programs for appropriate clinic personnel and pharmacy technicians as assigned. Participates in clinical pharmacy lectures and educational programs as assigned. Participates in peer review. Assist with precepting the anticoagulation rotation offered to student and resident trainees from other affiliated programs.

Assists in conducting and reporting internal audits as required. Maintains all pertinent professional and administrative records as necessary. Assists in data collection for drug utilization evaluation and participates in quality assurance. Acts as liaison between Pharmacy Service and other health care providers.

Ensures that VA policies relating to investigational drugs are being followed. Participates and supports research projects conducted by Medicine Service Line and/or Pharmacy Service Clinical Section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor.

The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).

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: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Certification: You must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). GS-8 Grade Determination: Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below. Certification.

For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: a.

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.) b.

Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. c. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

References: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. GS-8.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying ( up to 50 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching.