The South Texas Veterans Healthcare System (STVHCS) is recruiting for three (3) qualified Pharmacy Technician (Automation) positions at two locations: two at the Audie L. Murphy VAMC, San Antonio, TX and and one at the North Central Federal Clinic, San Antonio, TX.

Duties

Duties May Include But Are Not Limited To: Responsible for the first line management and operation of automated dispensing equipment, narcotic accountability, compounding, and/or any other higher-level technician functions as needed; Responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures for the dispensing and storage of drugs in the narcotic areas of use, automated equipment, compounding, and procurement; An understanding of narcotic areas of use, federal rules/regulations regarding narcotic substances, software systems, software upgrades, troubleshooting hardware/software problems, minor repairs, automation recalibration, routine maintenance, and USP 797/800; A thorough working knowledge of all pharmacy technician positions and a basic knowledge of how pharmacists interact with specialty systems; A need to understand the principles related to inventory management of controlled substances, how to establish usage rates, determine stock levels, understand expiration date requirements, identify manufacturer/distributor sources, concepts involving inventory maintenance, and how to handle medication recalls; Demonstrate critical systems thinking as it relates to automation implementation and process improvement initiatives; Maintain the general technical knowledge of medication brand names, generic names, medication use, dosage forms, and general/special storage requirements; Maintain an understanding of applicable systems of weights and measures, as well as medical terminology to be able to screen/interpret/verify physician orders; Perform or schedule basic/routine daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance per all equipment labeling and operating manual instructions to ensure equipment is in a clean and operable state; Set up, adjust, and maintain medications, accessories and supplies for the automation. This includes making decisions to alter the mix of medications stocked in the automation machine based on current medication order patterns and perform the necessary settings to these devices based on the individual characteristics of dispensed medication; Restock medications in the automated equipment; Recalibrate automation cassettes/canisters as necessary; Appropriately returns medications into the automation inventory and removes expired/outdated medications from the automation; Fill canisters/cells with medications and input appropriate information necessary to allow an audit trail of the medications placed into the automation; Maintain automated equipment user files; Run, review, and maintain automation reports; Coordinate the collection and reporting of data analysis and summarizes reports for review by pharmacy management; Resolve problems and complaints regarding pharmacy automation; Troubleshoot system issues and performs preventative maintenance to ensure optimum efficiency for prescription dispensing; Troubleshoot problems with the automation when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel; Work directly with automation companies' technical and clinical support to troubleshoot and resolve automation issues and maximize utilization of the automation equipment; Serve as a technical advisor and trainer to other pharmacy staff in the operation, calibration, and maintenance of automated pharmacy equipment; Minor troubleshooting and entering work orders/IT ticket for any other pieces of equipment necessary for the efficiency of the pharmacy; Perform all other duties as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm; or Monday - Friday 10:00am - 6:30pm with the possibility of nights/weekends/holidays. Schedule to be discussed/determined with management during the selection process. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Education or Experience: None required. 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 (GS-7 and above): 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Physical Requirements. See physical requirements listed below. Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for the GS-8 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) AND all demonstrate the KSAs below. GS-8 Experience: You must possess at least 1 year of experience at the GS-07 level must include examples of: Mentoring and training lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. Assisting advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participating in performance improvement initiatives. Using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. Functioning as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. GS-8 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must possess and demonstrate ALL the following KSAs in their resume: 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. Preferred Experience: 1 Year Experience with Scriptpro Automation to include Inventory Management 1 Year Experience with Controlled Substances 1 Year Experience with Record Management for Pharmacy & Procurement 1 Year Experience with troubleshooting equipment and placing tickets for repair Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Light, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (3 hours), Pushing (3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Kneeling (1 hours), Repeated bending (1 hour), Both legs required, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement (specify) DVA Correctable to 20/40, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted). Working closely with others; Working around machinery with moving parts; and protracted or irregular hours of work.

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/.

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

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]