The primary duties of this position are performed in coordination with the Outpatient Pharmacy Service (Fayetteville) within the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO). The Lead Outpatient Pharmacy Technician must be a highly specialized, efficient, motivated, and customer-friendly technician, who, under the authority of the Chief of Pharmacy Service (or designee in charge of Outpatient pharmacy services), assists in the management of various Outpatient pharmacy services at VHSO.

Duties

The duties of the Lead Outpatient Pharmacy Technician include, but are not limited to: Organizes daily operations in the Outpatient Pharmacy to include, workload analysis, scheduling, staff training, identify backlogs, and make staffing adjustments as needed to meet organizational goals. Utilizes in depth knowledge of Outpatient Pharmacy policies and procedures for filling and all forms of dispensing of medication; processing of medication returns and waste and pre-packaging medications using safe work practices. Functions in various areas of the Pharmacy, covering Outpatient Pharmacy areas as needed and serves as a back-up for the Controlled Substance Technician (Lead), the Call Center Pharmacy Technician, and the Community Care Pharmacy Technician. Interacts with Controlled Substance Inspection Officials in assisting with Narcotics Vault inspections, troubleshooting problems, and keeping supervisors immediately informed of all discrepancies. Assists pharmacists in determining high priority or emergency requirements and initiates procurement activity to local wholesale sources. Develops and/or executes procedures to procure "special order" products available only through manufacturer-created specialty programs. Assists in planning the work schedules and rotate duties of the outpatient technicians. Plans, assesses, and makes recommendations with regards to leave. Coordinates with supervisor to assign daily tasks for pharmacy technicians and reviews their work through spot checks, audits and observations for appropriateness, timeliness, and accuracy. Coordinates day-to-day maintenance and operation of Outpatient Pharmacy area equipment and automation and communicates any issues to the Pharmacy Automation Technician. Assists management in ensuring all employees meet performance standards and competencies. Identifies areas for improvement as needed and provides input into technician performance appraisal reviews. Assists management in interviewing and selecting new employees and candidates for promotion and/or reassignment. Makes recommendations of employees for performance awards and other forms of recognition. Assists management in coordinating and conducting all Outpatient narcotic vault activities. Conducts technician meetings to assure proper updates of departmental and hospital communications. Assists in the development and revision of policies and procedures and participates in departmental goal planning and quality improvement activities. Prepares and fills all orders and requests for controlled substances. Ensures all necessary information is on prescription. Encourages pharmacy technicians to report actual and/or potential medication errors or adverse events and participate in quality improvement initiatives to promote patient safety. Provides support to the clinical processing of medications. These duties may include, but are not limited to: Assists in procurement, filling, and proper dispensing of non-formulary, restricted formulary, or REMS medications. Assists Pharmacy USP Program Manager with on-going USP 795/800 competency assessment and review of all staff. Communicates with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, patients, and family members regarding Outpatient Pharmacy services. Compiles documentation and preparation of reports for Outpatient Pharmacy dispensing data and activities. Provides training and assistance to other staff (technician and pharmacist) that rotate through the Outpatient Pharmacy work area. Monitors and analyzes stock levels to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends (such as waste, fraud, diversion, or abuse). Communicates potential problems to supervisor or Pharmacy Chief. Coordinates monthly inspections of Pharmacy drug stock. Performs related duties such as rotating stock to minimize waste due to expiration, assisting in maintaining the orderliness and cleanliness of the Pharmacy, and ensuring accurate "In Stock" levels in inventory software. Ensures staff are properly trained and supervised to complete these functions. Conducts inventory software maintenance including, but not limited to: conducting staff training, ensuring accurate "In Stock" levels including regular completion of cycle counts, ensuring accurate Metric Quantity Overrides, and utilization of inventory software reports to ensure optimal utilization of software and par levels for medications. Work Schedule: 8-hour shift between the hours of 6:00 am - 6:00 pm, to possibly include nights, weekends, and holidays. Tour may be changed based on workload. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00437-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience directly related to the position to be filled. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. 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: GS-07: Experience: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *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 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 date in VA information systems. Preferred Experience: Must have at least 1 year of experience as a VHSO GS-06 Pharmacy Technician. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28. This position is announced above the full performance level at the GS-7 level. Physical Requirements: A pharmacy technician will not generally be required to lift more than 40 pounds. The VistA system is used for varying lengths of time. Incumbent must be able to work accurately standing for long hours. The work also requires significant amounts of walking, stooping, kneeling, and reaching. Work is performed in the pharmacy areas with only normal safety precautions required. Additional work may be performed at nursing stations located throughout the medical center with minimal potential for exposure to disease. The work is performed in an environment with variable room temperatures where air circulation is not ideal. Work Environment: The work environment of the position is performed in the outpatient pharmacy and office setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: April Bookout
• Phone: 315-800-7297
• Email: [email protected]