Summary

The Outpatient Pharmacy Vault Technician performs complex program management responsibilities greater than 25% of the time. The incumbent prioritizes the workload of the controlled substance vault area and assignments to meet the variable demands of that tour and reports potential pharmacy staff - provider - patient - or performance problems to the supervisor immediately with appropriate recommendations to improve the identified problems.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• To qualify for appointment to this position - all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) 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 (GS-07 and above): 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)
• 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)
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-08 Grade Requirements: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07)
• Experience includes mentoring and training lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting
• assisting advanced/specialized pharmacy technicians and participating in performance improvement initiatives
• using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy
• functioning as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy - including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations - with minimal oversight
• 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)
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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
• Preferred Experience: Candidates should have at least one year of recent experience in a current or previous job that includes controlled substance accountability - inventory management and prioritization of responsibilities in an outpatient pharmacy setting
• All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
• It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Maintains competence in all operational aspects of pharmacy service including specialty equipment and materials - automation - distribution - labeling - packaging - documentation - controlled substance accountability - procurement - and inventory management
• Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including robotic automation (ScriptPro)
• Ability to troubleshoot in the event of equipment or associated software malfunction - including the ability to request service assistance from VA entities or the equipment vendor
• Reads and interprets prescriptions for technical accuracy - completes prescription filling process including labeling and batching prescriptions utilizing robotic automation (ScriptPro) when applicable
• Reports trends and examine trends in controlled substance use and access for potential diversion - working in tandem with VA police for diversion investigation
• Performs emergency drug cache inventory
• inspection responsibilities include 72-hour visualization on tags and security numbers - inclusion of cache in monthly inspection program - quarterly inspection opening controlled substance cache storage for visual content inspection and resealing security tags
• Checks - rotates - and places into stock all items received from logistics and prime vendor and reconciles any discrepancies to assure the correct stock has been received
• Maintain ordering officer designations and applies accounting concepts and financial management principles with knowledge of various Pharmacy and Logistics rules - regulations - laws - contracts - and computer programs to effectively purchase controlled substances for the pharmacy
• Conduct monthly medication storage area inspections in inpatient wards and outpatient areas for audit purposes
• Completes thorough inspections - documents findings - and shares findings with pharmacy management
• Routinely tours areas serviced by Pharmacy to review appropriate storage of and accounting for controlled substances
• Responsible for keeping controlled substance policy and procedures manuals current
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:30am to 5:00pm
• Occasional need to assist with staffing through pharmacy service operational hours - including weekends and holidays
• Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Total Rewards of a VA Career - Allied Health Professionals: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician Total Rewards: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf