What are the responsibilities and job description for the Clinical Pharmacy Technician - Tele-Pharmacogenomics position at Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs?
This announcement will remain open until Friday, 08/28/2023, 11:59 p.m. EST or when 50 applications are received, whichever may conclude first.
Current, permanent VA employees, current permanent federal employees, and past, current, or upcoming Health Professions Trainees (HPT) should apply under Announcement Number CBFF-12077568-23-LAJ.
The Clinical Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is a part of the National Telepharmacogenomics and National Pharmacogenomics Program and will routinely be assigned specific clinical work to include laboratory value monitoring, medical chart documentation, drug utilization evaluation monitoring, drug: gene variant monitoring, pharmacoeconomic reviews, pharmacogenomic reviews, medication utilization monitoring, telephone logistical support, supplemental patient education communication, pharmacogenomic consenting, dashboard review and utilization, data entry/analytics, obtaining a complete patient and family medication history with reconciliation, and assisting with medication ordering.
Major Duties include but, not limited to:
- Conducts patient interviews including medication history, pharmacogenomic personal and family histories, collection and input of pharmacogenomics results, utilization of PGx results, medication adherence and barriers therein, need for medication refills, and investigating causes of therapeutic irregularities and nonadherence.
- Communicates changes in PGx informed medications and/or dose with patient if applicable.
- Accurately documents all communication in the patient's electronic record to include reporting of adverse drug reactions and incident reporting.
- Completes consenting for pharmacogenomic testing, review patient lab results, and triage per protocol.
- Documents pertinent patient information for pharmacist review as appropriate.
- Participates (in conjunction with clinical pharmacists) in medication utilization evaluations, quality improvement projects, dashboard review and utilization, data analytics, and quality reporting as assigned through by NTPGx/NPP.
- Provides supplemental reinforcement education for patients concerning operational issues or need for therapy compliance.
- Creates or assists in creating Patient Education Materials; works with appropriate facility committee to gain approval for patient use, as needed.
- Maintains competence by participating in staff development programs and successfully completes annual competencies.
- Provides training and resources for clinical staff who are new to NTPGx/NPP, as applicable.
- Triages phone calls, voicemails, emails, and other messages from internal and external customers.
- Utilizes expertise in computer skills as it relates to Microsoft products and others as assigned.
- Manages technical assignments of NTPGx/NPP to assure continuous and consistent coverage of the clinic.
- Monitors patient scheduling to assure appropriate patient follow-up and time to next clinic availability.
- Participates in QA/QI projects, medication utilization evaluations, safety initiatives, dashboard utilization and review, other data analytics, and cost savings initiatives as assigned.
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Yovani.Brito@va.gov or Caronda.Slocum@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinators for questions/assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
- 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.
NOTE: This applies to past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professions Trainees (HPT) only. VA HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or admitted to the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC).
Basic Requirements:
- United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with Veteran Affairs Policy.
- 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.
- Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of March 17, 2006 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure / certification / registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- Such employees in an occupation that requires licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
- Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
- Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
- Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure / certification / registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
- If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. ? 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
- English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy.
Grade Determinations:
GS-7 Experience: One year experience at the next lower level, GS-06 and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Examples of experience include performing assignments 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.
Also, Must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level.
- Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action.
- Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment.
- Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents.
- Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products.
- Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts.
- Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
*1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities.
2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes.
3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff
4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment.
5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process.
6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures.
7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures.
8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems.
Preferred Experience. History of telework or remote work; work in a call center or similar environment; working with data (e.g., basic data analytics, dashboard reviews, panel scrubs, triaging patient lists, etc.); direct patient care (e.g. anticoagulation clinic, medication reconciliation, medication or family histories, etc.); and/or completing medical reviews, fielding patient calls, contacting patients to gather information, working with dashboard or other analytical/data tools are all qualities of a strong candidate for this role.
References. VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G28
Physical Requirements. The work is primarily performed while sitting, though some work may require periods of standing and occasional lifting. The regular and recurring work of this position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc, and occasional visits to community and nationwide sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required.
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: . 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: .
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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 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.
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: .
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- OF-306
- VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations
- Health Professions Trainee Supporting Documentation
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from .
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/28/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click .
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, , select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
508 Fulton Street
Durham, NC 27705
US
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the .
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The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender
identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation,
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employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service,
or other non-merit factor.
Salary : $46,696 - $75,111