The GS-8 Pharmacy Technician (Automation) carries out the full range of technical support functions to include but not limited to processing and filling of prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items; stock management; operation, maintenance, re­stocking and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment; patient and customer relations; and preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports.

Duties

VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: The incumbent is responsible for providing first-line support, maintenance, and basic repair of all inpatient and outpatient pharmacy automation not under the direct management of Information Technology Department (ITD) or the terminal area security officer or equivalent. This equipment currently includes the pharmacy automation equipment, as well as troubleshooting the fax/copier machine and printers prior to contacting ITD. The areas of responsibility have a major effect on the ability of the Pharmacy Department to provide timely and efficient prescription filling capacity, as well as the availability of needed patient medication. Pharmacy automation has become a central component of the medication distribution process for the FHCC Pharmacy Department and the need for reliable and functioning equipment is critical to its mission. This employee works under the direct supervision of the Associate Chief of Pharmacy Operations. Major Duties and Responsibilities: A. Automation -Provides specialized technical support to inpatient and outpatient pharmacy staff regarding the use of automated medication distribution systems. -Sets up, adjusts, and maintains the operation of automated medication dispensing devices that support the treatment of FHCC beneficiaries. -Sets up, adjusts, calibrates and maintains accessories and supplies for automated medication dispensing devices. -Maintains control records, collecting data on any deviation in equipment accuracy, operation, or suitability. Recognizes and notifies the Supervisor 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. -Serves as one of the Lead Contracting Officer's Representatives (COR) for the Pharmacy. This involves completing and maintaining training, tracking contracts, assisting alternate Pharmacy CORs and assisting in the preparation of requests for new equipment from ITD or acquisition. B. Pharmacy Technician Duties -Incumbent will perform processing and filling of prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items; stock management; operation, maintenance, usage, re-stocking, and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment; patient and customer relations; and preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports. The incumbent may be required to perform some or all of the functions; however, the relative percentages of time spent performing each specific function varies with the area of administrative assignment. The incumbent must possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date and beyond use date requirements, manufacturer/ distributor sources, dosage forms, applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers' orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose is prepared and/or distributed; working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders for propriety and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems; working knowledge of hospital computer system(s), specifically the applicable VISTA/CHCS, CPRS, and Class-Ill software applications and processing options and a thorough knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance and minor repair of automated dispensing equipment. -Controlled Substances: Pharmacy Technicians require advanced knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of FHCC and Network policy and state and Federal regulations, which apply to these drugs. Knowledge of trending and analysis is necessary to ensure that problems associated with waste, fraud, diversion or abuse are identified quickly and reported to appropriate supervisor(s). Work Schedule: M-F 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician - Automation/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A Financial Disclosure Report: N/A

Requirements

Qualifications

Preferred Experience: Possess a current Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) with an understanding of the goals, objectives and performance measures associated with Pharmacy Operations. 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. 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) or National Health Career Association (NHA)? is required at grades GS-7 and above. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations:GS-8 Level: One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. -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 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs. -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.) -Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. -Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level have a higher level of responsibility for specialized areas of pharmacy and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty. Pharmacy technicians in this assignment specialize in areas such as sterile compounding, oncology, controlled substances, medication history review, clinical specialist (anticoagulation, pain, infectious diseases), clinical informatics, automation, immunizations and any other specialized area in the advancement of the profession. The pharmacy technician will serve as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day technician duties of the specialized area. The technician will be performing assignments such as compounding sterile products, filling controlled substance prescriptions while maintaining compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations, taking medication histories and counseling patients, managing automation, managing workflow and training and orienting staff in the specialized area. Certification: PTCB or NHA certification is required at this grade level and above. Physical Requirements: Employees are typically expected to work forty hours per week. This may include evenings, midnights, weekends and/or holidays as assigned. Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing IV admixtures, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44Ibs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose-cassettes, and IV solutions; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower 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. Employees must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used on the job. Employees may be required to work at various pharmacy locations as assigned.

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 Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Doug Madel
• Phone: 608-667-6533
• Email: [email protected]