Massachusetts Healthcare Jobs

Summary Please ensure you review the announcement in its entirety for required skills, documents and eligibility. The Lead Pharmacy Technician serves as the coordinator, advisor, analyst, and planner for their assigned production area for prescription mail-out fulfillment. Responsibilities The incumbent will be assigned primary responsibility for one of the following areas: Tablet/Capsule Automation (TCA), Unit-of Issue Dispensing, Manual Dispensing, Bulk Dispensing, or Controlled Substance Dispensing. He/she will be required to have the knowledge, skills and ability to perform in all areas as needed per shift. He/she must have knowledge of inventory control, warehouse operations, and receiving processes in order to function with the inventory management specialist or warehouse specialist assigned to their area.Although not required, preferred experience, concentration, or a candidate's area of interest: Pharmacy Operations & Automation Experience with Production Data Analysis Inventory Control & Management Major duties include, but are not limited to:Lead Pharmacy Technician Duties: Continually provides oversight and makes recommendations to improve the utilization of resources. Incumbent is responsible for developing and recommending additional management reports to assist in providing timely and accurate information for all current and future customers. Participant in the development and implementation of both short and long-term policies and plans for CMOP. Monitors all prescription throughput of allocated workload to insure timeliness, accuracy, and successful processing. Incumbent is responsible for coordinating these efforts with other production areas, logistics, and information technology (IT) staff. Assists in facilitating employee mandatory training including, but not limited to equipment safety, equipment orientation, The Joint Commission, mandatory annual training, and all competency related areas. Assists in the coordination and planning of staffing and resources required to update each production area to keep at maximum efficiency. This would include but not be limited to checking individual production percentages in each major filling area, monitoring new and different drug activity, and moving drugs from one production area to another as appropriate. Reviews daily staffing and resources for effective reallocation and coordinates concerns with the the shift Supervisory Pharmacist. Coordinates the timing of upgrades and repairs based on production needs. Monitors system to ensure pick speeds and safety gaps are optimized on various automated devices. Manipulates available workload to maximize usage of all available zones, cells, pucks, or totes. Incumbent monitors priorities to ensure correct quantities are dispensed by the right component. Ensures that there is adequate work assigned to the active queue to keep manual subsystem at maximum efficiency. Assure continuity of operations/automation services. The incumbent shall be cross trained in all production areas and capable of performing area requirements as needed. Monitors back orders and provides information for on hand stock in order to coordinate with procurement and the medical centers for possible shortage situations and the changes that occur with such problems (i.e. change In brand, strength, or replacement with different product). The incumbent communicates to assigned inventory management specialist. Monitors workload ratio of all subsystems and shifts work accordingly. This involves analyzing data on an ongoing basis and making appropriate changes to ensure each subsystem has optimal production, efficiency, and timeliness. Advises and recommends changes or deletions to existing SOPs and develops new SOPs as required. Assists management officials in research and collection of data on problems reported by sites, patients, or staff. Incumbent also serves in roles that support quality planning, quality assessment, and quality control. Promotes compliance with all existing safety and security measures, procedures, and policies. Incumbent also reports all safety infractions directly to the chair of the appropriate environmental committee in a timely manner. Incumbent also notifies CMOP Director, Associate Director, or VA security personnel (as appropriate) of all security violations immediately. Resolves problems or complaints when possible using knowledge of overall CMOP operations and policies. Refers unresolved issues to supervisor for follow-up. Trains and orients new personnel, volunteers, students, etc., in the technical phase of CMOP operations in the area assigned and reports the progress of those trainees to the supervisor. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 40 hours per week: Monday-Friday: Tour of duty is based upon organization needs. Telework: Not Eligible Functional Statement: Pharmacy Technician: #00006A This is NOT a remote position. 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/03/2023. Basic Requirements for Pharmacy Technician: United States Citizenship: 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. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists". Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure / certification / registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard 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 required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure / certification / registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such 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 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. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G28. Grade Requirements: Creditable Experience: To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. Quality of Experience: To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-time Experience: Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-7 Pharmacy Technician Requirements: Experience: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): GS-7 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities *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. Physical Requirements: Work may be 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.). Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory when handling identified medications as stated in CMOP Standard Operating Procedures. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. and bending/stooping/reaching. See "Additional Information" for further GS-7 Requirements. 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 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 asupervisor; 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. 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. Hazardous Drugs The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous drugs in final dosage form at this workplace, particularly in areas where routine pharmacy tasks, such as handling stock bottles, opening bottles to count tablets or capsules, preparation of prescriptions for dispensing, waste disposal, and spill response are performed. 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. To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a VA job announcement includes language requiring applicants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply to this Job Announcement. VA may request information regarding your vaccination status, if selected, for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.