Pharmacy Technician

Summary

Pharmacy automation has become a central component of the medication distribution process at the Richmond VA Medical Center. The areas of responsibility have a major effect on the ability of Pharmacy Service to provide timely and efficient prescription filling capacity and the availability of needed medication in patient care areas. This position functions primarily in the Inpatient care areas of Pharmacy Service but has significant responsibilities in Outpatient Pharmacy.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/24/2024 to 07/01/2024

• Salary

$68,538 - $89,099 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 9

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Richmond, VA

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• 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

CBTA-12448644-24-KEJ

• Control number

796851100

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This job is open to

• Federal employees

• Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees

• Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Open to all VISN 6 employees only

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Duties

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Performs or schedules basic and routine maintenance to automated dispensing devices at times least disruptive to patient care. Also performs daily maintenance / inventory procedures on equipment as required and/or assigned. Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained to minimize downtime.

• Works directly with automation companies' technical and clinical support to troubleshoot and resolve automation issues and maximize utilization of the automation equipment.

• Resolves problems and complaints regarding Pharmacy automation. Troubleshoots problems with the automated dispensing cabinets, unit dose prepackaging machines and robots when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel.

• Inventories and replenishes automated equipment without the need to be checked by a pharmacist or another technician.

• Works directly with other health care services locally as well as VISN and VHA employees and services to maximize utilization of the automation equipment.

• Ensures that adequate off-line inventory levels of unit dose medication

packaged through automation are maintained.

• Adds new and deletes obsolete medications to maintain current inventory.

• Runs, reviews, and maintains automation reports on assigned routine

• Maintains or assists to maintain automated equipment user files.

• Maintains control records, collecting data on any deviation in equipment accuracy, operation or suitability. Recognizes and notifies the Director of Pharmacy Service, or designee of such deviations. This includes collecting technical data necessary for the purchase of new equipment, collecting and reporting quality improvement data in a format useful for pharmacy management and providing suggestions or other information that may be useful for improving the efficiency of the pharmacy's automated dispensing systems.

• Actively participates in the writing, updating, training, and implementation of

facility policy and procedure pertaining to automation equipment.

• Provides specialized technical support to pharmacy staff and other medical center personnel regarding the use of automated medication distribution systems.

• Serves as technical advisor and trainer to other pharmacy staff in the operation, calibration and maintenance of automated pharmacy equipment and devices.

• Supports pharmacy and other medical staff in the use of automated pharmacy equipment involved in the packaging and distribution of medications to patients of this medical center.

• Plans, develops and implements Automated Dispensing System security awareness to heighten controlled substance accountability; participates in facility and department training towards that end.

VA Careers

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

Work Schedule: Rotating shifts to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.

• English proficiency

• PTCB or NHA certification

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).

Experience: One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level of GS-08.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:

• Expert knowledge serving as a key resource advising others in their particular specialty area or section of the pharmacy (such as procurement, sterile compounding (USP compounding standards), controlled substances DEA, automation, clinical pharmacy, lead tech, contact center, etc.).

• Skill in analyzing data for self-driven (independent) performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports.

• Skill in solving problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area.

• Ability to maintain special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections (e.g., The Joint Commission, Inspector General, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, controlled substance inspections).

• Ability to develop training programs and material for orientation, competency development and educational needs for regulatory requirements within the specialized pharmacy program area.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 9.

Physical Requirements:

• The work requires repetitive motion, standing, walking, reaching, stooping, lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds, pushing heavy or bulky carts and at times may be physically demanding, sometimes for extended periods of time.

• Must be able to adjust to changing environments.

• Must demonstrate the ability to stay on task, to multi-task, and to adapt to the speed of the workflow as required to provide the best customer service possible to the veterans and staff.

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.

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.