This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The areas of responsibility have a major effect on the ability of Pharmacy Service to provide timely and efficient prescription filling capacity. This position functions mainly in the Outpatient Pharmacy, but covers all pharmacy automation within the Pharmacy. The incumbent has responsibility for the operation, maintenance, basic troubleshooting/repair and oversight of ScriptPro® automated system(s), as well as the automated dispensing cabinets located within the facility. The incumbent ensures automation capabilities are maximized and takes a major role in training of staff on proper use of the automation. The incumbent will operate the automated prescription filling machine safely and efficiently. Sets up, adjusts and maintains the operation of Scriptpro® automation equipment, including canister maintenance, ensuring medications are accurately dispensed to our patients. These systems have multiple settings, canisters, and features that require precise calibration and monitoring, on a continuous basis, to enable them to operate reliably. Performs or schedules basic and routine maintenance at times least disruptive to patient care. Also performs daily maintenance / inventory procedures on equipment as required and/or assigned. Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained to minimize downtime. Works directly with automation companies' technical and clinical support to troubleshoot and resolve automation issues and maximize utilization of the automation equipment. Resolves problems and complaints regarding Pharmacy automation. Troubleshoots problems with the Scriptpro® and the automated dispensing cabinets when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel. Inventories and replenishes automated equipment without the need to be checked by a pharmacist or another technician. Fills empty canisters, tracking the contents by barcode reader, to allow an audit trail of the drugs placed into the machine. Fill bottle bins and run copies of rejected prescriptions, so those prescriptions can be refilled. Maintains adequate inventory of ribbons, labels, bottles, and other pertinent materials needed for automation operations. Ensures that adequate off-line inventory levels of medication dispensed through Scriptpro® automation are maintained. Adds new and deletes obsolete medications to maintain current inventory. Runs, reviews, and maintains automation reports and reviews this information with the Pharmacy Supervisor. Assists the Pharmacy Supervisor in collecting data for workload reports and process improvement projects. Maintains or assists to maintain automated equipment user files. Maintains control records, collecting data on any deviation in equipment accuracy, operation or suitability. Recognizes and notifies the Chief of Pharmacy Service of such deviations. This includes collecting technical data necessary for the purchase of new equipment, collecting and reporting quality improvement data in a format useful for pharmacy management and providing suggestions or other information that may be useful for improving the efficiency of the pharmacy's automated dispensing systems. Monitors quality assurance and reports deficiencies to their Pharmacy Supervisor and other leadership within the Pharmacy Service as instructed. Actively participates in the writing, updating, training, and implementation of Service policy and standard operating procedures pertaining to automation equipment. Serves as technical advisor and trainer to other pharmacy staff in the operation, calibration and maintenance of Scriptpro® and automated dispensing cabinet automation. Leads all projects focusing on upgrades, transitions, or additions to all Pharmacy automation. Demonstrates critical systems thinking in automation implementation and process improvement initiatives. Coordinates the technical aspect of Outpatient Pharmacy drug dispensing activities to ensure standard operating procedures are in alignment with automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized. Incumbent is instrumental in recommending and implementing changes for the improvement of the workflow, work methods and priorities involved within the drug distribution system. Functions as a pharmacy technician with duties assigned by the pharmacy supervisor or designee, as needed, including the infusion center or other areas. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts. Telework: Noteligible. Virtual Position: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient Automation)/PD04497F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Requirements

Qualifications

***This vacancy announcement is Open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA Nation-wide) ONLY.*** 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: U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may 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. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (proof of graduation or equivalent required) or at least 3 months of experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship the full-time work week. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. To qualify for this position at the GS-7 grade level, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement by the closing date of this announcement, November 8, 2023. Grade Determination: GS-7 Grade Level Requirements: (a) Experience: One year experience at the next lower level (GS-6). Experience working in the outpatient pharmacy setting or in compounding sterile preparations; Operate and care of dispensing devices; perform aseptic technique; perform inventory procedures and experience with pharmacy information systems. (b) Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade. (c) 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 References: For additional information, see VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G-28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf. This can also be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The Pharmacy Technician must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the duties of this position. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of supplies weighing at least 50 pounds, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling of automated dispensing cabinets through various terrains. 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). Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard 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 does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a 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. Preferred Experience: None The full performance level (FPL) of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

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 Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Michael Brown
• Phone: 407-405-6894
• Email: [email protected]