Pharmacy Technician - (Automation)
What you'd do
The primary responsibility of the GS 8 Automation Pharmacy Technician is to serve as a first line point of contact and subject matter expert in the maintenance, troubleshooting, and updating of all pharmacy automation systems at the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC in Milwaukee, WI. Additionally, the incumbent carries out the full range of Pharmacy Technician technical support functions and also serves as Pharmacy Service's alternate timekeeper.
Major duties
Major Duties of the GS 8 (Automation) Pharmacy Technician Include but are not limited to: Automation Provides specialized technical support to inpatient and outpatient pharmacy staff regarding the use of automated medication distribution systems. Assisting in the preparation of requests for new equipment from OIT or acquisition. Performs or schedules basic and routine service maintenance to automated dispensing devices at times least disruptive to patient care. Serves as technical advisor and trainer to other pharmacy staff and other facility department staff (i.e., Nursing) in the operation, calibration, and maintenance of automated pharmacy equipment and devices. Supports pharmacy staff in the use of automated pharmacy equipment involved in the packaging and distribution of medications to ZVAMC beneficiaries. Support and advises the Pharmacy lnformaticist on software/interfaces related to automation devices. Troubleshoots all equipment malfunctions and initiates service calls in accordance with pharmacy's contingency plan as appropriate for the Inpatient Pharmacy and Outpatient Pharmacies. Maintains logs, records and reports including, but not limited to controlled substance and Pyxis discrepancy reports. Pharmacy Technician Duties: Sets up, adjusts, and maintains the operation of automated medication dispensing devices that support the treatment of the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC Patients. Sets up, adjusts, calibrates and maintains accessories and supplies for automated medication dispensing devices. Maintains control records, collecting data on any deviation in equipment accuracy, operation, or suitability. When not directly involved in performing the duties of the pharmacy automation technician, the incumbent's duties will revert to those of a Full Performance pharmacy technician, such as: Perform processing and filling of prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items Maintains a training/education manual for the focus assigned. Provides training for new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained. Performs all the duties of lower graded pharmacy technicians, as required. Equipment Stock management, operation, maintenance, usage, re-stocking, and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment patient and customer relations Comprehensive working knowledge of operation and capabilities of the automated dispensing systems involved, and the ability to perform daily maintenance for assigned systems. Provides applicable equipment information to the Pharmacy equipment manager during any contract updates and/or changes that involve Pharmacy equipment as needed to ensure proper security and accountability of all Pharmacy equipment. Has working knowledge of hospital computer system(s), specifically the applicable VISTA/CHCS, CPRS, and Class-Ill software applications and processing options (e.g., ScriptPro, Pyxis and Pyxis CII safe, prescription processing, and a thorough knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance and minor repair of automated dispensing equipment. Alternate Timekeeper Serves as alternate timekeeper for pharmacy service T&L units (including the NEWAC sites) Prepares and completes at least one T&L per pay period to maintain competencies in time and attendance Completes all T&L duties during absence of primary timekeeper Maintains all relevant time and attendance training requirements Work Schedule: Full Time Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10075F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. English Language: Must be proficient in written and spoken English Certification: must 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). 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). A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-8 Must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Mentoring and training lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. Assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. Uses independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. Functions as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of a pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) 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. References: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS 8. Physical Requirements: Work is performed primarily in the inpatient pharmacy and outpatient care areas, where there is a potential for exposure to communicable diseases. Such areas are adequately heated and ventilated, and safety precautions are required. In some cases, dealing with anti-neoplastic drugs may expose the incumbent to hazardous and toxic agents. The incumbent works with drugs/chemicals and must exercise precautions to avoid accidental contact to the skin, eyes, and lungs.
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