Pharmacy Technician (Quality Assurance)

Summary

The incumbent will coordinate the Quality Assurance (QA) Program in the Pharmacy Service as a specialized pharmacy technician. The technician will lead a variety of tasks for improvement of workflow, work methods and priorities, assuring timely accomplishment of customer service workload within limits of available resources.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

09/19/2024 to 10/04/2024

• Salary

$63,420 - $82,444 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 8

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Martinsburg, WV

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• 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

• Financial disclosure

No

• Bargaining unit status

Yes

• Announcement number

CBTF-12551940-24-JH

• Control number

810367700

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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 employees of Martinsburg VAMC.

Videos

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Duties

VA Careers

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

• Functions as a key resources in advising others in their particular specialty area or section of the pharmacy (Controlled substance DEA, automation, and other areas as assigned.

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

• Prepares reports utilizing Microsoft Office such as Excel and Powerpoint. Provides written reports as requested that are of sufficient quality, accuracy, and completeness that little editing is required before they can be used internal or external to Pharmacy Service.

• Develops projects for quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and special projects with the oversight of the Associate Chief of General Operations.

• Interacts with medical centers, Veterans Administration (VA), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), United States Postal Service (USPS) OIG, The Joint Commission (TJC), and other regulatory agencies as required under the supervision of the Associate Chief of General Operations to resolve problems, report incidents, and provide feedback on problematic trends and patterns.

• Reviews reports to determine current status, sequence of events in which technicians and/or pharmacists involved in processing prescription orders and identifying procedural issues which may have occurred.

• Assists in filing and record keeping of errors under the direction and oversight of the Associate Chief of General Operations.

• Monitors QA reports in order to identify possible process improvements.

• Develops training programs and material for orientation, competency development, and educational needs for regulatory requirements within Pharmacy Service.

• Complies with Safety, Occupational and Health Standards and policies.

• Performs duties of other pharmacy technicians as required. Technicians must stay current with daily operational functions.

Work Schedule: All Pharmacy Tours

Telework: Ad-hoc only

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 613-24353-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

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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.

• 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

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: None Required

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

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

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Examples of experience include:

• Mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting.

• Function as a staff pharmacy technician with minimal oversight.

• Uses computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.

And,

Required

Pharmacy Technician

• Experience Requirement: 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).Examples of experience include:

• Mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting.

• Function as a staff pharmacy technician with minimal oversight.

• Uses computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.

And,

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA):

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.)

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a highly mechanized warehouse setting around production machinery. Moderate noise and traffic require attention to safety. Some work areas involve a moderate risk requiring exercise of safety precautions when operating or working around the automated equipment (ie. accumulators, moving belts, etc.) Wearing gloves is mandatory when handling specific medications. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting /carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. and bending/stooping/reaching.

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/.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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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.