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Pharmacy Technician - Inpatient/Outpatient Coordination Program Manager

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System, Pharmacy service, is recruiting for four (4) Pharmacy Technicians - Inpatient/Outpatient Coordination Program Managers.

Two (2) positions are located at the main Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, one (1) position is located at the Lawton VA Clinic, and one (1) position is located at the South Oklahoma City VA Clinic.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/07/2024 to 02/15/2024
Salary
$59,966 to - $77,955 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Locations
4 vacancies in the following locations:
Lawton, OK
Oklahoma City, OK
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSU-12293437-24-TDG
Control number
775113100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is an internal job announcement open to current, permanent Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System employees only. Veterans' Preference does not apply.

Videos

Duties

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VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

The Pharmacy Technician (Coordination Program Manager) position functions as the automation and workflow specialist in all the areas of pharmacy service at the OKCVAMC. The incumbent will have a primary focus in either inpatient and/or outpatient and CBOC locations.

The duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Automation (Automated Dispensing, Outpatient, Inpatient)

  1. 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. Incumbent is instrumental in recommending changes for the improvement of the workflow, work methods, and priorities involved within the drug distribution system
  2. Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with Pharmacy automation throughout multiple facilities. This will involve trouble shooting, regularly gathering data, analyzing, and interpreting VA data and formulating action plans.
  3. Ensures that automated dispensing data is archived within established guidelines for each type of equipment throughout multiple facilities.
  4. Resolves problems and complaints regarding all pharmacy and automated dispensing automation, troubleshoots problems with all automated dispensing equipment when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel.
Program Manager Tasks
  1. Ensures that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, work products, and services.
  2. Ensures that all team members participate in planning for achievement of team goals and objectives. Applies a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to identify, assess, analyze, and improve team effectiveness, efficiency, and work products. Leads the team from multiple locations in assessing team strengths and weaknesses, in exploring alternatives, and in determining what improvements can be made.
  3. Trains or arranges for the training of team members in methods and techniques of team building, working in teams, and accomplishment of individual and team tasks. Coaches the team in problem solving methods and techniques; provides advice on work methods, practices, and procedures; and assists the team and/or individual members in identifying possible solutions. Discusses with the team assignments, projects and/or program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion. Serves as facilitator in coordinating team initiatives and in consensus-building activities among team members.
  4. Leads the team in identifying, distributing, and balancing workload and tasks among team members in accordance with established priorities, workflow, skill level and/or occupational specialization. Ensures that team members have an integral role in developing the final team product. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work. Checks work in progress and reviews completed work to see that the supervisor's overall instructions have been met. Keeps the team appraised on progress in meeting Updated 5/2022 established milestones and deadlines for completion of assignments, projects, and tasks.
Other Duties
  1. Serves as on-line back up to other automation pharmacy technicians or other inpatient and/or outpatient pharmacy technicians throughout the facility/enterprise.
  2. Assists as deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisors, in any patient care area (including inpatient and outpatient pharmacy) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services.
  3. Assists in the quality management of Pharmacy Service by participating in process action teams and continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers.
  4. Maintains clean and orderly work areas by keeping stock and equipment in assigned places and all counters free of debris for optimal work environment in accordance with good manufacturing practices.
Education
  1. Seeks personal and professional development opportunities which enhance personal well-being, customer service skills, and technical expertise.
  2. Educates non-pharmacy personnel and patients regarding Pharmacy Service's procedures, policies and processes.
  3. Serves as preceptor for pharmacy technician students.
  4. Completes all required mandatory training by assigned due dates.

Work Schedule: Various tours (6:00am - 2:30pm, 7:00am - 3:30pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm, and others based on the needs of the service) This includes rotations on weekends and holidays.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 59041-A
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.

Education or Experience.

(1) None required.

(2) 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. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

(1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

OR

(2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA 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 in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-9

Experience. One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level.

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:
  • 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.
Preferred Experience: Present abilities related to the OKCVAMC automated drug distribution systems. This includes maintenance, technical problem solving, report generation, and service contract support. Preferred applicants will be experts able to train, calibrate/service, and ensure automation is maximized for efficient patient care.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28

This vacancy is for a GS-9 position, which is above the full performance level.

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.

Safety
  • Maintains safe and orderly work areas. Reports any incident of self/patient. Fills out appropriate form.
  • Uses equipment and supplies appropriately.
  • Environment of Care: Follows Life Safety management (fire protection) Procedures. Reports safety hazards, accidents, and injuries. Reviews hazardous material/ Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/ waste management. Follows Emergency Preparedness plan. Follows security policies/ procedures. Complies with federal, state, and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources.
  • The work environment receiving involves everyday risks of discomforts which require normal safety precautions. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.
  • Infection Control: Demonstrates infection control practices for disease preventions (i.e. hand washing, universal precautions/ isolation procedures, including TB requirement/ precautions.

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

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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