Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. All other applicants

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

a. Automation Technician Duties
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) Analyzes usage reports to optimize medication utilization, reduce manual filling, and make adjustments as needed.
3) Collaborates with inventory management team to assess usage patterns and ensures adequate inventory of high-demand medications in the automated system.
4) Coordinates, facilitates, and assists in the installation, expansion, and upgrading of pharmacy automation within the Pharmacy Service.
5) Maintains a working knowledge of hardware for the automated system.

b. Medication Management
1) Prescription Processing

• Reads and interprets prescription orders from the veteran electronic health record system or in written format.
• Properly assembles the prescriptions not processed through the automated dispensing machine with the correct drug, strength, quantity, vial size, and prescription labeling for window dispensing or mail delivery.
• Uses Automatic Dispensing machines to batch and label medications.
• Ensure ScriptTalk labels are properly adhered to the bottle.

2) Controlled Substances (CS)

• if assigned- Prepares controlled substance prescription orders in accordance with the controlled substance policies and procedures.
• Accurately maintains a rolling inventory in automation and performs a complete inventory per VA guidelines.
• Receives and verifies inventory with VA Logistic Officer in accordance with the VA policies and procedures for receiving controlled substances.
• Monitor prescription orders for dispensing accuracy and communicates potential problems to supervisor.

3) Collates Prescription Orders

• Collates prescription orders sent to the printers for local processing by patient into processing containers.
• Scans prescriptions being filled by the ScriptPro Robotic Automation (SP200) then forwards the container onto the next appropriate process: i.e., narcotics room, manual fill area or checking conveyor.
• Maintains the printers, ensuring they are operating properly and kept filled with the proper prescription paper.

4) Window Pick-Up

• Verifies the patient's identification following the Medical Center's policies (i.e., two patient identifiers).
• Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions by using VA software: i.e., ScriptPro barcode scanning or Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA).
• Verifies that patient has received all prescriptions (i.e., refrigerated, controlled substances, bulk medications, etc.).

5) Inventory Stock Control

• Understands process for ordering inventory to maintain proper stock daily. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdate items.
• Assures that stock is properly rotated upon storing and that no more than one (1) multi-use container is opened at any given time.
• Has a working knowledge in operating the inventory management system (i.e ScriptPro Inventory Management System) used for creating the daily order, validating the receipt of the daily order, maintaining physical inventory for the Ambulatory Care Pharmacy.

6) Mail Packaging

• Prepares products for mailing, ensuring items are wrapped, logged properly, and all necessary forms completed for the items are sent via certified mail, UPS or USPS overnight.
• Familiar with the procedures for processing of controlled substances for mail and the need for maintaining the security of controlled substance packages.
• Understands the importance of recognizing and taking appropriate action on ScriptPro alerts (i.e., Do Not Mail, P.O. Box Only, etc.).

c. Administrative and Organizational Support
1) Participates in quality assurance, process improvement activities, and performance monitors.
2) The technician will be proficient in covering all shifts and areas of coverage for the Ambulatory Care pharmacy section. The technician will also be proficient in providing support for the pharmacists.
3) Reports actual and/or potential medication errors or adverse events and participates in quality assurance, process improvement activities, and performance monitors to promote patient safety.
4) Maintain competence by participating in staff development programs which enhance personal well-being, customer service skills, and technical expertise.


Work Schedule: Hours vary between 0700-1900, with rotating Weekends/Holidays.
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
• Education or Experience. 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. Required. 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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess the following grade requirements.

GS-8 Pharmacy Technician: Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level.

(1)Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.

(2) Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT.

(3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:

(a) Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section.

(b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.

(c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

(4) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level have a higher level of responsibility for specialized areas of pharmacy and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty.

(a) Pharmacy Technician. Pharmacy technicians in this assignment specialize in areas such as sterile compounding, oncology, controlled substances, medication history review, clinical specialist (anticoagulation, pain, infectious diseases), clinical informatics, automation, immunizations and any other specialized area in the advancement of the profession. The pharmacy technician will serve as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day technician duties of the specialized area. The technician will be performing assignments such as compounding sterile products, filling controlled substance prescriptions while maintaining compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations, taking medication histories and counseling patients, managing automation, managing workflow and training and orienting staff in the specialized area.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards.

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.

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.