This position serves as a Pharmacy Technician within the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy. This position operates with independence of judgment and action. Provides oversight for all technical aspects of assigned area of pharmacy operations which includes workflow oversight, automation, inventory support, equipment maintenance, and/or medication dispensing.
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: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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 or Experience: 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). OR 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). Grandfathering Provision. A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-09: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must possess at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, (GS-08). 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). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 (i.e., accumulators, moving belts, etc.). Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory when handling specific medications and in certain areas of production or assignment. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion and activity, involving standing for prolonged periods of time on hard surfaces, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. unassisted and bending/twisting/stooping/reaching.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The GS-0661-09 Pharmacy Technician (Automation Coordinator) evaluates and coordinates some technical aspects of assigned area of pharmacy operations which may include automation, inventory support, generalized equipment maintenance, and/or medication dispensing, which may include controlled substance oversight. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Applies a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to identify, assess, analyze, and improve effectiveness, efficiency, and work products. Provides data for workload reports and process improvement projects to appropriate supervisory personnel. Assists in quality management efforts by participating quality improvement initiatives and continually seeking ways to improve services provided to patients and other customers. 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. Uses knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management to receive and inventory pharmacy stock, working in collaboration with logistics personnel to ensure adequate stock levels. Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with pharmacy automation throughout multiple production areas. Resolves problems and complaints regarding all pharmacy and automated dispensing equipment when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel. Ensures that equipment is cleaned and maintained to optimize patient safety and minimize downtime. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 2:30 pm or 3:30 pm to 12:00 am (as determined by the supervisor or based on the needs of the agency) Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 46597A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized