The primary purpose of the position is to aid the USP/Hazardous Drugs Pharmacy Program Manager, in the professional and administrative management for all activities within Pharmacy Service related to this section. Responsibilities are inclusive of planning, organizing, and reviewing the functional duties within Pharmacy Service. The lead pharmacy technician is also responsible to maintain an in-depth knowledge of policies and procedures related to sterile compounding, hazardous medication. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (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. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-07 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, to include the following: 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs: Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a pharmacist, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a Pharmacy Service or for a specific unit or section. Preferred Experience: 2 years of inpatient pharmacy experience IV certification Managerial / supervisory experience References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, dated March 17, 2006 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15 - 44 lbs.); Moderate Carrying (15 - 44 lbs.); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (up to 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; 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; Hearing (aid permitted). ["This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until 9/15/2023. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. The first cut-off date is May 11, 2023. Applications will expire after 90 days, and applicants must update their application through USAJobs for further consideration. Duties include but not limited to the following: Operational Assists with the development and coordination of pharmacy programs and workflow. Serves as a liaison to professional, technical, and administrative staff from other services within the medical center. Assures facility compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory and accountability of controlled substances, sterile compounding, hazardous medications, and non-hazardous medications Performs and teaches all technical duties of Pharmacy Service within the USP/Hazardous Drugs Program. Operates, maintains, and teaches the use of all relative Pharmacy automation to maximize production and efficiency by keeping machine adequately stocked and responding to all alarms, system errors, and mechanical needs. Administrative: Participates in quality assurance, internal audits, and performance improvement projects primarily related to workflow with pharmacy staff and with coordination and the approval of the USP/Hazardous Drugs Pharmacy Program Manager. Responsible for workload analysis and reports to pharmacy service management regarding IV room operations, including recommendations for efficiencies and cost effectiveness. Aids pharmacy management in adjusting work assignments due to call-ins and staffing shortages. Maintains current knowledge of all pharmacy policies and procedures. Implements necessary administrative audits (i.e., wait times, workflow analysis, etc.). Acts as a participating member of the interview panel for technician positions. Assists with the planning and implementation of pharmacy programs and projects consistent with the needs of the department and the medical center. Involves in competency development and revision for pharmacy technician staff. Assists with developing performance standards that are realistic, challenging and support the organizational mission, vision and goals. Training, Education, and Compliance Participates in the training, re-training, and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other medical center personnel to Pharmacy Service policies, procedures, and best practices as required. Trains pharmacy staff on established procedures to assure compliance with USP chapters requirements Completes competency assessments for pharmacy staff and assure timely completion of all elements of the ongoing quality assurance plan for compounding sterile, non-sterile, and hazardous products. Demonstrates the ability to operate, maintain, and train other staff on the use of all primary engineering controls, automated dispensing devices and equipment. Demonstrates the ability to clean and disinfect all compounding rooms/areas, equipment, and devices according to established standard operating procedures and protocols. Assists in preparing for special accreditations and reviews (TJC, OIG, SOARS, ASHP, etc.). Completes mandatory education and training both onsite and offsite as assigned in a timely manner. Adaptability: Adapts to changing working conditions with a focus on ensuring safety and customer service to internal and external customers. Expects to perform work in a temporary space (i.e., mobile pharmacy trailer, modular build clean-room, segregated compounding space or another healthcare system within or outside VA which will involve travel and conforming to their local policies/practices. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 6:00am - 9:00pm (8-hour work schedule). Weekend and Holiday coverage may be needed. General Work Tours may be extended and/or adjusted to meet patient care needs. 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
