Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job announcement is open to the Public - U.S. Citizens. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

Videos

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE

Patient Care Duties:

• Responsible for all aspects of technician dispensing of inpatient medications including IV's, ward stock, controlled substances, and pharmacy automation devices.
• Responsible for all aspects of technician dispensing of outpatient medications, including controlled substances.
• Coordinates sterile compounding training and testing for all new and current employees.
• Ensures that all training is completed in the appropriate timeframe.
• Ensures the proper operation and maintenance of all automated pharmacy equipment.
• Investigates and reconciles daily discrepancies.
• Patient care functions require in depth knowledge of computerized prescription records system and pharmacy software operating systems, CMOP dispensing and prescription tracking.
• Perform direct patient care functions where assigned.
• Must be able to understand, execute, and communicate controlled substance procedures.
• Encourage pharmacy technicians to report actual and/or potential medication errors or adverse events and participate in quality improvement initiatives to promote patient safety.

Administrative/Program Management:

• Coordinates, develops, and oversees the efforts of the assigned technicians in all pharmacy activities.
• Identifies and assesses workload volume throughout the day to make adjustments designed to meet organizational needs and goals.
• Ensures and documents that all technicians are trained, competent and compliant with all processes. policies, and procedures.
• Provides positive and constructive feedback to technicians to promote a positive and successful work environment.
• Documents and communicates disciplinary action when required.
• Performs duties of lower graded technicians, as required.
• Expected to be proficient in all pharmacy technician duties and lead by example in productivity, behavior, attitude, and appearance.
• Requires the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with Veterans, caregivers, providers, and other VHA personnel.
• Follows all policies and procedures relating to medication management safety systems which include but are not limited to High Alert Drugs, Look Alike/Sound Alike Drugs, and use safety of Multi dose dispensing pens.
• Responsible for scheduling, planning, and granting leave.
• Responsible for timely completion of all items necessary for timecard certification and validation.
• Ensures that completed appraisals are reviewed and signed by technicians within the scheduled timeframes.
• Assures all pharmacy employees receive on the job training of technician functions, policies and procedures that are required for their specific position.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

• Performs duties independently in most areas of pharmacy under the general supervision of the Pharmacy Operations Manager.
• Routine work is coordinated and performed at the initiative of the incumbent.
• New or revised assignments are provided by the Pharmacy Operations Manager. Communicates trends, problems, and accomplishments affecting all aspects of pharmaceutical care or services provided to Veterans.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENT:

• Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions.
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
• Provides customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Day Tours - Off Tours as needed by the department
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available
Functional Statement #: 0000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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 evaluation.
• 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

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.
• Education or Experience: None Required.
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• 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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• 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.

Grade Determinations:

Supervisory Pharmacy Technician GS-9

Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8).

AND

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• 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.

AND

The candidate must demonstrate all the following additional supervisory KSAs:

• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders and managers.
• Ability to utilize staffing methodology principles to determine adequate staffing to coordinate and manage workflow and work activities within pharmacy.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28

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.