Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Supervisory Pharmacy Technician in Leeds, Massachusetts
Summary This position is located in the Leeds, MA Pharmacy Service of Central Western Massachusetts Veterans Health Administration. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Administrative Pharmacy Technician (Supervisory) GS-0661-10 General Description: This position is located in Pharmacy Service. Pharmacy technicians prepare medications by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing or compounding oral and intravenous medications. The pharmacy technician may also prepare medications for distribution to inpatient wards and clinics and outpatients for pickup and mailing. The pharmacy technician works in collaboration with other pharmacy technicians and responds to requests of pharmacists and other pharmacy supervisory staff. Under the supervision of a Pharmacist, pharmacy technicians perform routine pharmacy functions including receiving prescriptions from patients in writing or electronically from physicians. Pharmacy technicians prepare prescriptions by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing the medication if necessary. Pharmacy technicians maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, stock, and take inventory of medications. Pharmacy technicians prepare medications for inpatients in various settings, including sterile product preparation. Assignment: Supervisory pharmacy technicians serve as supervisors in programs that service multiple VA Healthcare Systems or VISNs, requiring insight to processes and procedures that are unique to each facility or VISN. Supervisory pharmacy technicians perform the full range of administrative management and supervisory duties including assigning work; completing performance evaluations; recommending appointment, awards, advancement and disciplinary actions; and identifying continuing education and training needs. Supervisory pharmacy technicians supervise other pharmacy technicians and/or other appropriate personnel in a VISN, region, Clinical Resource HUB or at a national level. Supervisory pharmacy technicians maintain effective relations with VA Healthcare Systems they serve as well as other VISN/regional/national program offices to accomplish program goals. Supervisory pharmacy technicians develop policies and procedures, manage document control and develop performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements. Supervisory Controls: A pharmacist or technician is available for professional guidance when required. The technician informs the supervisor of problems or unusual situations with recommendations for appropriate action. Sequence and timing of work are left to the discretion of the technician according to general policy; however, pharmacists may prioritize as necessary. The technician's work is reviewed on an overall basis by the supervisor for conformity to Pharmacy Service policy and requirements. Customer Service Requirements: A caring, compassionate and sensitive manner is essential when explaining VA processes and procedures to veterans and their family members both in person and on the telephone. The employee must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the duties of the position, including the necessary skills to provide care appropriate to the population of the patients served. The Pharmacy Technician must meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats all internal and external customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Work Schedule: Primarily Monday thru Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm EST based on medical center needs. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F06766 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. 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 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) 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). 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: Administrative Pharmacy Technician (Supervisory) GS-0661-10 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience at or equivalent to the lower grade level (GS-09). Certification: The employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT. OR NHA as a ExCPT. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: Ability to analyze data for performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports. Ability to prepare for and maintain special accreditations, inspections and reviews (e.g., The Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, controlled substances inspections). Ability to solve problems and implement corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area. Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to monitor and evaluate performance, interview and select applicants and initiate counseling and/or disciplinary processes. Skill in troubleshooting problems and formulating solutions within complex specialty areas of pharmacy service. Assignment: Supervisory pharmacy technicians at this level supervise a group of other pharmacy technicians at a medical center. They use a broad knowledge of pharmacy operations to supervise complex specialty areas or sections. Employees in this position perform the full range of administrative management and supervisory duties including assigning work; completing performance evaluations; recommending appointment, awards, advancement and disciplinary actions; and identifying continuing education and training needs. Additional specialized duties include but are not limited to: Supervises lead inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy Technicians Primary time keeper for the Pharmacy Department/T&L 115. Data gathering, analysis, tracking, trending, and reporting pertaining to all aspects of the Pharmacy Department to include both clinical and operations. Budget preparation and submission for the Pharmacy Department. Submits contracts on behalf of the Pharmacy Department. Enters tickets and LEAF requests as needed to meet the needs of the Pharmacy Department. Fiscal duties including monitoring fund control points and expenditure tracking. Certifies invoices in IPPS. Writing reports and standard operating procedures. Serves as back up pharmacy procurement technician. Assists with the procurement of office supplies. Assists with reverse distribution. Serves as the department TMS super-user. Manages the Pharmacy Department Share drives and SharePoint. Serves as the administrative resource and clearing point for personnel management activities. Drafts functional statements. Prepares position/function/organizational charts. Prepares posts for hiring authorities. Maintains personnel files for the Pharmacy department. Communicates with applicants to include participating in interviews and scheduling interviews. Other duties as assigned. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Principal duties of this position require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing prescriptions, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), including boxes, equipment, medical supplies, stock boxes etc.; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Ability to operate automation. Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively. An ability to perform tasks. 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.