The Automation Pharmacy Technician position functions as the automation specialist in all the patient care areas of pharmacy service with primary focus on the inpatient pharmacy service. This position is performed above the full performance level. Pharmacy technician is assigned to the automation specialized area as the subject matter expert. The incumbent must have expert understanding of the complexity of the automation program.

Duties

A. Automation 1. Coordinates the technical aspects of pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are in alignment with automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized. Incumbent is instrumental in recommending changes for the improvement of the workflow, work methods, and priorities involved within the drug distribution system. 2. Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with Pharmacy automation. This will involve troubleshooting, regularly gathering data, analyzing, and interpreting VA data and formulating action plans. 3. Performs daily review of all automation to ensure connections and functionality remain intact. Also helps provide guidance if any automation is offline or not functioning. 4. Audits automation to ensure accurate expiration dates and quantities are recorded. Also helps to adjust par levels for automated dispensing cabinets to ensure optimal inventory. 5. Ensures that automated dispensing data is archived within established guidelines for each type of equipment. 6. Ability to participate in process action teams to improve automation quality and safety, continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. 7. Resolves problems and complaints regarding all pharmacy and automated dispensing automation, troubleshoots problems with all automated dispensing equipment when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel. 8. Has oversight responsibility of the user files of all automated dispensing systems. 9. Has oversight responsibility for the addition of new items and deletion of obsolete items from all automated dispensing systems. 10. Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained to minimize downtime. 11. Trains and orients pharmacy staff and other medical center staff involved in operating the automation. 12. Provides data for workload reports and process improvement projects to appropriate supervisors. 13. Thoroughly understands VA Pharmacy procurement and formulary and uses this knowledge to appropriately manage Pharmacy automation equipment. 14. Thoroughly understands investigational drug policies and procedures, if applicable, as they relate to Pharmacy automation equipment. 15. Thoroughly understands controlled substance policies and procedures, including controlled substance inspection process, discrepancies, and resolution. 16. Attends regulatory meetings regarding all automation and provides learned knowledge to the pharmacy staff. 17. Collaborates with Program Analyst to evaluate and/or resolve automation issues. B. Other Duties 1. Inpatient services may include but not limited to such areas as aseptic admixture preparation including cytotoxic agents, automatic and on-demand ward stock replenishment, maintenance, and operation of automated prepackaging and dispensing equipment, assembly, and documentation of controlled substance requests, and properly packaging with documentation of single unit of use medications. 2. Outpatient services may include but not limited to outpatient prescription filling, maintenance, and operation of automated prescription dispensing equipment. 3. Assists in the quality management of Pharmacy Service by participating in process action teams and continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. 4. Maintains clean and orderly work areas by keeping stock and equipment in assigned places and all counters free of debris for optimal work environment in accordance with good manufacturing practices. 5. Ability to interact with facility personnel and our Veteran customers in a professional manner that promotes proper rapport and ensures the highest level of customer service and patient care. 6. Ability to recognize and solve problems, makes recommendations to avoid potential problems, and refers appropriate concerns to Inpatient Technician Supervisor. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday 07:00am - 3:30pm Travel: 25% or less. Incumbent may need to travel to CBOCs and other locations when automation is present to address automation needs Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Education or Experience: Applicants must have a high school diploma ore equivalent; or at least 3 months of experience. 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. Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Previous user experience with Omnicell, previous admin experience with Omnicell Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess the following grade requirements. GS-8 Pharmacy Technician: Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition, applicants must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): (1) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (2) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (3) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (4) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (5) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (6) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level may be assigned supervisory positions or assignments as lead technicians in a highly complex area of the pharmacy. The GS-8 level is for very select, complex pharmacy technician positions as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a pharmacist, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as supervisors or in an equivalent assignment in a Pharmacy Service, or for a specific unit or section. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (45 pounds and greater) of pharmaceutical supplies, and pushing/bending/stooping/stretching.

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 Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012 US
• Name: Felicia Markham
• Phone: 909-583-6134
• Email: [email protected]