Summary The Lead Pharmacy Technician works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist to ensure the prompt and accurate delivery of medications to patients in accordance with appropriate state and federal pharmacy laws, policies, and procedures of the pharmacy department. Responsibilities Duties include, but are not limited to: Outpatient Prescriptions Identifying Veterans using the facility 2-patient identifiers, takes patient prescriptions orders and triage orders appropriately and in timely manner as per pharmacy prescription processing and dispensing procedures Reading and interpreting handwritten and electronically transmitted prescriptions and accurately enters them in VistA for pharmacist to review When assigned to filling prescriptions, obtains right medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order Non-Sterile Products - Bulk Compounding Responsible for the preparation of all non-sterile products requiring compounding which are made in large batches for more than one patient Following direction of the licensed pharmacist, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients, mixing ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspecting final product for accuracy, compatibility, labeling the product, maintaining records of the production process and supplies the product for delivery Using standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared Control Substances Conducting scheduled inventories twice weekly as per policy Supporting and cooperating with the controlled substance inspectors during monthly inspection Providing proper documentations for all controlled substances that were claimed lost from mail by the veterans Initiating Issue Brief for each case to be reviewed by the Pharmacy Outpatient Supervisor prior to forwarding to the facility director and the Controlled Substances Coordinator Authorized and executes authority to initiate and complete all orders for controlled drugs, including requirements, VACO directives, DEA requirements (including completing DEA forms) and other state and local requirements that apply Automated Dispensing System Developing skills to facilitate correction of the automated systems Initiating calls for assistance from engineering staff, information services and manufacturers help desk Coordinating assistance from the vendor system for diagnostics and following instructions to correct system technical difficulties Documenting downtime problems, actions and resolution Calibrating and cleaning automated system canisters to maintain the system at a maximum capacity Maintaining a file for each canister calibrated Keeping canister drug files updated Performing all daily, weekly and monthly Quality Assurance monitoring as per manufacturer's recommendations Finding NOC numbers for each drug and matching part to calibrate the canisters Disassembling, assembling and replacing inventories and orders automated system canister parts Notifying procurement technician when running low of any supplies for the automated system Nursing Home Assisting the pharmacist in the pre-packing and filling or nursing home orders in a timely manner Entering all required information into SNH/CS pre-packing log as outline by pharmacy protocol and Standard Operation Process "Medication Distribution to Ambrosio Guillen Nursing Home Patients" E Pharmacy Program Following E-Pharmacy Protocol while dispensing E-pharmacy prescriptions Verifying the accuracy of order entry for all E-Pharmacy prescription (identified by the stamp with the Letter E on the dispensing slip) Requesting patient's signature when dispensing prescription to the patients. Patient's signature can be captured on hardcopy or electronically on the CPRS via e-Pad Omnicell Maintaining adequate inventory of medications and parenteral solutions through routine restocking process via the Pharmacy Omni center Status Screen Ward Unit Inspection Conducting monthly ward inspection of patient care areas to ensure that no expired medications are stocked in the clinic and all opened multiple doses vials are marked "single use only" Pharmacy Call Center Following facility script and etiquette when talking to customers Providing accurate information on status of prescriptions, refill and renewal process and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist as appropriate Cross training with other technicians in charge of pharmacy call center to be able to provide outstanding customer service Other Duties as Assigned Maintaining a training/education manual for the focus area assigned Providing training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained Assisting with inventory management and ordering of medications and supplies Performing other pharmacy related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Telework: ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Bargaining Unit 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. 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 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. 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: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Lead Pharmacy Technician, GS-08 Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below. 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. 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: 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.) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Preferred Experience: Two to three years experience in training pharmacy technicians Two to three years experience in high volume prescriptions pharmacy (typing and dispensing above 300 prescriptions daily) Experience in writing standard operating procedures in outpatient setting Experience and involvement in patient safety and efficiency improvement projects in outpatient pharmacy setting Exceptional customer service record and ability to resolve conflicts and disputes between employees or customers and employees Two to three years of experience in supervising or leading over 10 pharmacy technicians Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Education Additional Information 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.