The Automation Lead Technician position functions as the automation specialist in all the patient care areas with Inpatient Pharmacy Service. The pharmacy technician is assigned to the automation specialized area as the subject matter expert and will perform automation related duties. Responsible for work leadership in the daily maintenance and oversight of inpatient pharmacy automation equipment.
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. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. 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-07 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). 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: 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). 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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. 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: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/ carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching
Responsible for work leadership for daily maintenance and oversight of all inpatient and/or outpatient pharmacy automation equipment at both the department and facility level. Coordinates the technical aspects of pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are aligned with automaton capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized. Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with Pharmacy automation. Ensures automated dispensing data is archived. Participate in process actions teams to improve automation quality and safety, Resolves problems and complaints regarding all pharmacy and automated dispensing automation, troubleshooting problems with all automated dispensing equipment when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel. Responsible for oversight of user files of all automated dispensing systems. Responsible for oversight regarding the addition of new items and deletion of obsolete items from all automated dispensing systems Ensure that the equipment is cleaned and maintained to minimize downtime. Trains and orients pharmacy staff, and other medical center staff are involved in operating automation. Provides data for workload reports and process improvement projects to appropriate supervisors Manages Pharmacy automation equipment utilizing Veterans Affairs Pharmacy procurement and formulary. Assist with informatic tasks. Responsible for Inpatient include but not limited to: prescription filling, triaging phone calls, delivering medications to inpatient nursing units, re-packaging of medications. Assist as deemed necessary by pharmacy supervisors, in any patient care area to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. Assist in quality management of Pharmacy Service in participating in process action teams and continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. Maintain clean and orderly work areas by keeping stock and equipment in assigned places and all counters free of debris for an optimal work environment in accordance with good manufacturing practices. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized