The primary purpose of this position is to provide leadership to Meds by Mail (MbM) pharmacy technician staff in the Cheyenne, WY duty location. The MbM program provides outpatient mail pharmacy support to VA Medical Center pharmacies, VHA Indian Health/Tribal Health programs, CHAMPVA In-house Treatment Initiative, Spina Bifida/Children of Women Veterans and Primary Family Caregivers programs.

Duties

This position serves as the Lead Pharmacy Technician for the VA Pharmacy Benefits Management Services (PBM), Meds by Mail (MbM) program at the duty location of Cheyenne, WY. The incumbent exercises team leader authorities over assigned MbM staff members, managing workflow and ensuring work completed by assigned staff is in accordance with MbM policies and procedures and all applicable federal and state laws. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: LEADERSHIP (1) Coordinates and critically evaluates work activities of team members, monitors workflow, and reviews completed work rejected for correction (2) Uses leadership skills to provide technical advice and constructive feedback to team members. (3) Coordinates team education and training needs. Trains team members on prescription processing, educating team members on related MbM policies and procedures. Conducts competency assessments to validate team members' knowledge of MbM procedures. (4) Coordinates workflow changes with other Lead Pharmacy Technicians. (5) Recommends changes in tours of duty as needed to meet anticipated workload. (6) Uses independent judgments to resolve operational issues and communicates unresolved operational issues to supervisory personnel. ADMINISTRATIVE (1) Reviews and recommends standard operating procedures pertaining to technical support activities. (2) Ensures proper storage, processing and documentation of undeliverable prescriptions according to MbM policy and RCRA standards. (3) Ensures records and files for undeliverable medications are maintained according to MbM policy, and VHA Record Control Schedule. COMPUTERIZED PRESCRIPTION INPUT (1) Reads and interprets prescriptions for completeness. Identifies missing pertinent information and corresponds with provider's offices to resolve routine administrative questions, referring complex problems and clinical issues to a pharmacist. (2) Enters correct drug details into the beneficiary's medication profile. (3) Utilizes pharmacy software to identify basic drug hazards and alerts pharmacist. (4) Screens providers for eligibility by utilizing the Office of Inspector General website. Enters new provider information in applicable software. (5) Documents oral disclosures, including medication lists, in conjunction with provider's offices, recording all correspondence into the electronic patient health record. SPECIALIZED AREAS (1) Receives and inspects packages containing medications returned to MbM. Documents medication disposition in the electronic patient health record. (2) Assists Specialty Team pharmacists with medication reconciliation, referring clinical information/ questions. Tracks delivery of Specialty Team medications, verifying receipt of package with each patient. Documents in the electronic patient health record. PRESCRIPTION PROCESSING (1) Provides customer service to MbM beneficiaries and their caregivers. (2) Processes prescription refills and electronic prescription renewal requests. (3) Sends correspondence to beneficiaries regarding prescription/medication status. (4) Reports medication close calls and errors in alignment with the MbM reporting program. EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT (1) Keeps abreast of new developments in pharmacy practice and drug therapy by reading pharmacy literature and participates in continuing education programs. (2) Completes agency mandatory training and position specific competency checklist annually and is rated on all measured areas. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm Telework: Available- VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Functional Statement #: 66850A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: United States Citizenship:Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education: None Required. English Language Proficiency:Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance 38 U.S.C 7402(d) and 7407 (d). CERTIFICATION: The employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) GRADE DETERMINATION: GS-7: Candidates must possess one year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-06 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (your resume must reflect one year experience demonstrating all of the following): Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. AND DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following GS-07 KSAs: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28, November 7, 2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: In performing day to day activities, the incumbent will experience repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g. processing prescriptions, opening mail, use of a computer keyboard and mouse, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 40 lbs.), including boxes, equipment, etc., stooping or kneeling (e.g. to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job. Potential exists for exposure to infectious materials, exposure to hazards and toxic pharmaceutical waste and other substances including but not limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy, solvents, grease, oils, and cleaning solutions; sticks or cuts from hypodermic needles, lancets or other sharp items; musculoskeletal injuries if proper lifting and carrying techniques are not used; unusual musculoskeletal fatigue due to prolonged standing, electronic data processing, etc.; eye strain.

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 SPECIAL PROGRAMS SVC LINE 2103 Veterans Blvd. Unit 2 Dublin, GA 31021 US
• Name: Heather Gonsoulin
• Phone: 3182067900
• Email: [email protected]