The Pharmacy Technician (Automation) functions as the automation specialist in all the patient care areas of pharmacy service with primary focus in the outpatient pharmacy service. The incumbent will consistently demonstrate independent technical judgement and comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of associated VA policies and procedures. The incumbent works under the supervision of the Pharmacy Supervisor and Chief, Pharmacy Service.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Automation (Automated Dispensing, Outpatient) 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 Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with Pharmacy automation. This will involve trouble shooting, regularly gathering data, analyzing, and interpreting VA data and formulating action plans. Ensures that automated dispensing data is archived within established guidelines for each type of equipment. Ability to participate in process actions teams to improve automation quality and safety, continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. Resolves problems and complaints regarding all pharmacy dispensing automation, troubleshoots problems with all automated dispensing equipment when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel. Has oversight responsibility of the user files of all automated dispensing systems. Has oversight responsibility for the addition of new items and deletion of obsolete items from all automated dispensing systems. Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained to minimize downtime. Trains and orients pharmacy staff, and other medical center staff involved in operating the automation. Provides data for workload reports and process improvement projects to appropriate supervisors. Thoroughly understands VA Pharmacy procurement and formulary and uses this knowledge to appropriately manage Pharmacy automation equipment. Thoroughly understands investigational drug policies and procedures, if applicable, as they relate to Pharmacy automation equipment Thoroughly understands controlled substance policies and procedures, including controlled substance inspection process, discrepancies, and resolution. Attends regulatory meetings regarding all Automation and provides learned knowledge to the pharmacy staff. Other Duties On-demand ward automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) 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. Outpatient services may include but not limited to outpatient prescription filling, pharmacy phone triage, window prescription dispensing, narcotic vault assignments, maintenance, and operation of automated prescription dispensing equipment, and packaging of mail out prescriptions. Assists as deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisors, in any patient care area to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. 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. 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. Ability to interact with facility personnel and our Veteran customers in a professional manner that promotes proper rapport and insures the highest level of customer service and patient care. Ability to recognize and solve problems, make recommendations to avoid potential problems, and refers appropriate concerns to Procurement Technician or supervising Pharmacist. Uses knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management to receive and inventory pharmacy stock, relay inventory information to the Procurement Technician. s expected to protect patient sensitive information, electronic and print in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, Federal Regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Receives orders into the VistA computer system on arrival Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available (Ad Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Pharmacy Technician (Automation) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part Certification. For positions above the full performance level, 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). 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). Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Technician Board Certification from a State Board of Pharmacy preferred Comprehensive knowledge of pharmacy automation and computer systems and ability to successfully operate and maintain pharmacy equipment. - normal to the operation (general office equipment, packaging and mail processing equipment, pharmaceutical: electronic counters, scales, repackaging machines) and maintain work in a clean, neat orderly manner Knowledge of just in time inventory and observing PAR levels keeping medication and medical surgical items in stock but not overstocked. Experience to receive, read, sort and interpret prescriptions and determine kind, strength and dosage of drugs to be dispensed. Can correlate instructions on the prescription with Pharmacy Policy. Experience to generate labels and processes prescriptions by obtaining correct stock, counting or measuring correct amount of medication Possess clerical skills required for automatic data processing (ADP) prescription information entry, collating prescriptions or refill documents with ADP labels generated, record storage and retrieval Has the ability to perform the full range of sub-professional, non-judgmental, technical duties required in the assigned section under the direct supervision of a pharmacist Grade Determinations: GS-8 Experience - Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) and demonstrate the KSAs below. GS-8 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. GS-8 KSAs - You must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and or Abilities. (a) 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.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section. (b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. (c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Creditable Experience - To be creditable, a candidate must possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. The candidate's experience must be evidenced by active professional practice. (Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional pharmacy technician.) For reference, GS-7 Assignment: 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 are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. Reference: GS-7 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/159, Appendix G28, dated November 7, 2023. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15 - 44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15 - 44 pounds; Straight pulling up to 1 hour; Pushing up to 1 hour; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking up to 4 hours; Standing up to 3 hours; Repeated bending up to 2 hours; Use of both legs; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Vision correctable with eye ware; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish colors; Ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

Education above high school may not be counted towards qualification for this position at the GS-8 level. High school education may only be counted towards meeting the basic requirements for this position.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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 VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]