Pharmacy Technician

Summary

The Pharmacy Technician (Automation) position functions as the automation specialist in all the patient care areas of

pharmacy service with primary focus in both the inpatient and outpatient 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.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/28/2024 to 07/08/2024

• Salary

$62,644 - $81,435 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 8

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Detroit, MI 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0661 Pharmacy Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSR-12461983-24-MM

• Control number

797785100

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent John D. Dingle VA employees

Videos

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Duties

VA Careers

• Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Duties include but not limited to:

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 trouble shooting, regularly gathering data, analyzing, and interpreting VA data and formulating action plans.

(3) Ensures that automated dispensing data is archived within established guidelines for each type of equipment.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) Has oversight responsibility of the user files of all automated dispensing systems.

(7) Has oversight responsibility for the addition of new items and deletion of obsolete items from all automated dispensing

systems.

(8) Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained to minimize downtime.

(9) Trains and orients pharmacy staff, and other medical center staff involved in operating the automation.

(10) Provides data for workload reports and process improvement projects to appropriate supervisors.

(11) Thoroughly understands VA Pharmacy procurement and formulary and uses this knowledge to appropriately manage

Pharmacy automation equipment.

(12) Thoroughly understands investigational drug policies and procedures, if applicable, as they relate to Pharmacy

automation equipment

(13) Thoroughly understands controlled substance policies and procedures, including controlled substance inspection

process, discrepancies and resolution.

(14) Attends regulatory meetings regarding all Automation and provides learned knowledge to the pharmacy staff.

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, pharmacy phone triage, window

prescription dispensing, narcotic vault assignments, maintenance, and operation of automated prescription dispensing

equipment, and packaging of mail out prescriptions.

(3) Assists as deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisors, in any patient care area (including inpatient and outpatient

pharmacy) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) 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.

(7) Ability to recognize and solve problems, makes recommendations to avoid potential problems, and refers appropriate

concerns to Procurement Technician or supervising Pharmacist.

(8) Uses knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management to receive and inventory pharmacy stock, relay

inventory information to the Procurement Technician.

(9) Is 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.

Work Schedule: Monday

• Friday, 7:30am-4:-00pm, other tours as assigned

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 93501-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months 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:

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

• OR

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

• English Language. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English accordance with VA Handbook 5005, chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part..

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-8):

Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-08 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and 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.

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Job Qualification Standard GS-661.

Physical Requirements: Light to heavy lifting (under 15 pounds to 45 pounds and over), as needed light to heavy carrying (under 15 pounds to 45 pounds and over), straight pulling (1 hour), pushing (2 hours), reaching over shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required,

walking (5 hours), standing (7 hours),sitting (2 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), both legs required, near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work..

Preferred Experience: Certified Technician with experience in ScriptPro, Omnicell, Parata, and/or other automation.

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.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.