Pharmacy Technician - Pharmacy Automation/ADPAC The incumbent functions as a Specialized Pharmacy Technician primarily in the Pharmacy Service within the VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VHACIHS). This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties include, but are not limited to: Administrative duties: a. Collaborating with OI&T and Biomed, the incumbent assists with the professional and administrative management of the entire Pharmacy Automation program for all divisions of the VHACIHS. b. Assists with providing data for operational reports for Pharmacy activities including workload reports, quality assurance and performance improvement monitors and cost distribution, etc., when appropriate. c. Assists with the development of procedures/policies for new or existing programs working directly with Pharmacy staff/Pharmacy supervisors. Communicates deficiencies to supervisor and assists in the development of a plan for improvement. d. Identifies programs necessary to monitor, maintain, or initiate database procedures or technology systems, and assists with the development of contingency plans when computer and/or technology systems are down. e. Establishes and maintains record keeping systems to ensure accuracy of data input and output. f. Assists with the development and maintenance of procedural manuals. g. Responds to external proficiency testing programs. Prepares reports and responds to requests for information from hospital staff and regulatory agencies. h. Represents the Pharmacy on all computer and information management related committees and workgroups as appropriate. i. Enters user access forms (EPAS) for new employees and maintains the forms for current employees. j. Serves as a PIV card sponsor for the Pharmacy service. Works collaboratively with PIV office, Police Service, and/or Human Resources to ensure thorough background information review and timely submission of information for PIV card issuance. Completes annual TMS training requirements for PIV card sponsor role and responsibilities. Clinical duties: a. Assists with the coordination of all activities and functions of the Pharmacy Automation systems to ensure the availability of these programs for the timely and correct distribution of medication and Pharmacy services in all areas of the medical center and outpatient clinics. b. Assists the Chief and Associate Chief - Operations of Pharmacy Service in the overall management of the Pharmacy by managing the Pharmacy Automation systems for inpatient, outpatient, and clinical sections of the Pharmacy. c. Has oversight responsibility of the user files of all automated dispensing systems. d. Assists with the addition of new items and deletion of obsolete items from all automated dispensing systems. e. Develops an understanding of the Pharmacy computer database (e.g., drug, adverse reactions, allergies, cost, status, provider files, pharmacist, etc.). f. Testing is conducted collaboratively with Pharmacy Informatics/Medication Quality Pharmacy Program Manager and Pharmacy staff who have experience and access to the test system in the Pharmacy system. g. Attends conference calls for clinical product support, Pharmacy software and automation as appropriate. Pharmacy Technician duties: Medication and supply inventory stocking Completing monthly ward audit inspections Delivering medication and supply items to patient care areas Inventory control Non-sterile compounding Prescription filling for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs, over the counter products, medical devices and supply items Unit-dose packaging and distribution Training/Education duties: a. Responsible for training all aspects of the Pharmacy Automation within the medical center. Designs course outlines, prepares training and competency materials, and is responsible for teaching supervisors, pharmacists, technicians, medical providers, nurses and ancillary medical or clerical staff as required. Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained to minimize downtime. b. Maintains knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment: i. Coordinates and completes initial and on-going training and assesses competencies of Pharmacy automation equipment for Pharmacy Technicians. c. Participates in meetings, conferences, and programs that provide exposure and insight into hospital training programs, which affect Pharmacy Service staff. d. Obtains required continuing education and maintains clinical job knowledge and skills. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. Education or Experience: (1) None required. (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-7 Pharmacy Technician Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. This experience includes but is not limited to: 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 Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: 1 year of previous experience as a GS-6 or higher Pharmacy Technician at VHA 1 year or more experience working with Pharmacy Service automation equipment including database management, coordination of installation/preventative maintenance/upgrades/troubleshooting functionality errors, training of staff, assessment of staff competency, and development of educational materials. 1 year or more experience performing ADPAC duties for a service line. References: VA HANDBOOK PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA 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 in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) 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.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Iowa Health Care System 3600 30th St Des Moines, IA 50310 US
• Name: Adam Abbott
• Phone: 612-629-7067
• Email: [email protected]