The GS-8 Lead Pharmacy Technician is a certified, highly specialized pharmacy technician above the full performance level at the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS). Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or NHA and can work autonomously, using independent judgment to perform a full range of required duties.

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 The Lead Pharmacy Technician for Outpatient Pharmacy and Controlled Substance at this grade level has a higher level of responsibility for controlled substances and is expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty requiring little guidance/supervision for more complex patients and procedures. The technician will serve as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day technician duties in the controlled substance areas. The technician is also required to fill controlled substances under the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations, manage automation and orient staff in the specialized area. The Lead Pharmacy Technician oversees Pharmacy Technicians, provides direction for daily operations, assumes responsibility for integrating/monitoring standard pharmacy policies to maintain continuous workflow and quality within the service. The Lead Technician does a combination of the following duties: assigns tasks to ensure timely completion of duties; ensures pharmacy resources are in optimal working condition; addresses workflow needs; provides guidance and support of the work unit in supervisory absence; trains personnel (including students) in methods, procedures and use of equipment and instruments specific to the assigned area; provides input to supervisor on performance and training needs of employees. This position also serves as the backup to the Lead Pharmacy Technician Inpatient /Controlled Substances covering vacation time and unplanned leave as assigned. Functions will include but not be limited to dispensing of medications, stocking and restocking of automated dispensing cabinets and other ward stock areas, maintaining quality control practices and assigned quality control inspections, training of fellow staff, and other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52568-F This is a bargaining unit position.

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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 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: Lead Pharmacy Technician, GS-08 Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below. 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: (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. 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 at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: Lead Pharmacy Technician. 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. Lead pharmacy technicians perform duties independently, which consist of significant scope and complexity and will assist with technician oversight. Lead pharmacy technicians lead three GS-07 or more pharmacy technicians/employees/staff members, provide direction for daily operations and assume responsibility for integrating and monitoring standard pharmacy policies to maintain continuous workflow and quality within the service. Lead pharmacy technicians must do a combination of at least three of the following duties: prepare work schedules and assign tasks to ensure timely completion of duties; ensure pharmacy resources are in optimal working condition and address workflow needs; provide guidance and support of the work unit in supervisory absence; train personnel (including students) in methods, procedures and use of equipment and instruments specific to the assigned area; provide input to supervisor on performance and training needs of employees; adjust work assignments due to absences, emergencies or changes in priorities; resolve simple informal complaints of employees and patients, refer more difficult problems to the supervisor; or recommend approval and/or disapproval of leave requests Preferred Experience: 5 years experience working in the Amarillo Pharmacy Familiarity and knowledge of Directives1108.01 & 1108.02 Experience completing a controlled substance inspection Experience troubleshooting issues associated with the current ADC system: Pyxis ES/Pyxis ES Anesthesia At least 2 years experience filling controlled substances in an outpatient pharmacy 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-8. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to lift and carry moderate amounts (15-44 pounds), have use of fingers, be able to walk for less than 2 hours and stand for less than 4. The incumbent must have near and far vision corrected, depth perception, be able to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Must be able to hear (hearing aid permitted) and be emotionally and mentally stable. Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

Education

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

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]