Pharmacy Lead Technician

SummaryThe Pharmacy Lead Technician is responsible for assisting in coordinating comprehensive pharmaceutical care activities in the outpatient and inpatient care settings at the Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Medical Center (LLVAMC}.ResponsibilitiesResponsible for planning, organizing and reviewing work, administering personnel matters and dealing effectively with non-professional employee. Responsible for developing schedule, planning and rotating duties of non-professional staff. Projects overtime requirements based on work load and staffing. Assist with improving the performance standards that are realistic, challenging and support the organizational mission, vision, and goals. Help employees to meet performance standards and competencies. Identifies areas for improvement as needed. Assesses workload volume throughout the day, identifying backlogs and makes staffing adjustments as needed to meet organizational goals. Serves with considerable independence in all areas of pharmacy activity under the general supervision of the of the section Supervisor or designee who are available to discuss matters affecting policy or other services. Functions with technical independence in all assigned areas. Keeps management apprised of trends/problems affecting any aspects of pharmaceutical services provided. Recognizes need for changes in policy and procedures and makes viable recommendations. Monitors workflow patterns to keep drug distribution in accordance with the requirements of Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) for both unit dose and IV admixtures programs while ensuring accurate dispensing and record keeping. Assist in maintaining workflow patterns to keep prescription waiting time to less than 20 minutes while ensuring accurate dispensing and record keeping. Effectively evaluates Pharmacy activities to assist management to obtain short and long-range objectives/goals. Coordinates day-to-day maintenance and operation of pharmacy equipment and automation. Assists with the training, orientation and re-training of employees to Pharmacy Service policies and procedures. Assist Supervisor with reviewing each subordinate's competencies within applicable areas of assignment on an annual basis. Any deficiency is properly re-training is scheduled in a timely manner within supervisor approval. Work Schedule: Variable shifts, Monday-SundayFinancial Disclosure Report: Not requiredRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsApplicants 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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. 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). The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such 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 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. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Preferred Experience: Leadership & Inpatient Experience within a hospital setting Grade Determinations: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities.

Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes.

Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff

Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment.

Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process.

Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures.

Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures.

Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a pharmacist, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a Pharmacy Service or for a specific unit or section. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, and bending/stooping.

EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationReceiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. 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. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.