Pharmacy Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Town of Tomah (WI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Tomah, Wisconsin seeks a Pharmacy Technician (Informatics/Automation) to oversee pharmacy automation across inpatient and outpatient services. The role focuses on maintenance and oversight of automated dispensing equipment.

The position requires U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, and a national certification; education/experience can vary by grade level, with opportunities for advancement based on KSAs.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible per VA policy.
• English language proficiency required for both spoken and written communication.
• Education or experience: none required.
• National certification required for higher grades (PTCB/CPhT or ExCPT)

Responsibilities

• Coordinates technical aspects of pharmacy drug distribution to align with automation and computer systems.
• Evaluates workflow and coordinates activities for pharmacy automation.
• Ensures automated dispensing data is archived per equipment guidelines.
• Trains and orients pharmacy staff and other center staff on operating automation.
• Participates in process action teams to improve automation quality and safety.
• Assists in quality management of Pharmacy Service by process improvements.

Skills

Pharmacy automation knowledge

Workflow analysis

Staff training

Tools

Cerner/Oracle Health

Pharmacy software systems

Job description

Summary The Pharmacy Technician (Informatics/Automation) position functions as the informatics/automation specialist in all the patient care areas of pharmacy service with primary focus in both the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy service. The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for the daily maintenance and oversight of all inpatient and outpatient pharmacy automated dispensing equipment.

Summary The Pharmacy Technician (Informatics/Automation) position functions as the informatics/automation specialist in all the patient care areas of pharmacy service with primary focus in both the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy service. The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for the daily maintenance and oversight of all inpatient and outpatient pharmacy automated dispensing equipment.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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)
• 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)
• GS-08 Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above - you must meet the following: EXPERINCE: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07)
• Experience includes: plans - designs - analyzes - acquires - documents - tests - implements - integrates - maintains - or modifies computer systems or software
• Evaluates and analyzes workflow - coordinates work activities
• outpatient prescription filling
• narcotic vault assignments
• maintenance
• Trains and orients pharmacy staff
• archive automated dispensing data
• AND - In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrated the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 1
• 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.) 2
• Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures
• 3
• Ability to evaluate - analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy
• Preferred Experience: Previous experience as a pharmacy technician - usually a minimum of 4 years in a health system or retail pharmacy setting
• 1
• Experience with pharmacy automation such as Pyxis - ScriptPro - Parata - etc
• 2
• Understanding of pharmacy software systems- Prior pharmacy technician management - lead technician - or role in training staff preferred
• 3
• Prior experience with Cerner/Oracle Health preferred 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Informatics/Automation (Automated Dispensing - Outpatient - Inpatient): Coordinates the technical aspects of pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are in alignment with both pharmacy computer systems/software and automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized
• Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with pharmacy automation
• Ensures that automated dispensing data is archived within established guidelines for each type of equipment
• Trains and orients pharmacy staff - and other medical center staff involved in operating the automation
• Ability to participate in process actions teams to improve automation quality and safety - continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers
• Pharmacy Operations: 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
• Uses knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management to receive and inventory pharmacy stock - relay inventory information to the Procurement Technician
• Ability to recognize and solve problems - makes recommendations to avoid potential problems - and refers appropriate concerns to Procurement Technician or supervising Pharmacist
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 08054F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized