Summary

The Supervisory Pharmacy Technician is responsible for management and supervision of pharmacy technicians at the Sheridan VA Medical Center. This position requires significant independent technical judgement and expertise in complex areas of pharmacy practice - regulatory requirements and quality standards. They organize - coordinate - communicate - and manage programs for the pharmacy service at the facility level.

Qualifications

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:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)
• 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 Health-career 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• 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: Supervisor Pharmacy Technician - GS 09 Experience
• One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower 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: PTCB as a CPhT
• OR NHA as a ExCPT
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment - if indicated: Expert knowledge serving as a key resource advising others in their particular specialty area or section of the pharmacy (such as procurement - sterile compounding (USP compounding standards) - controlled substances DEA - automation - clinical pharmacy - lead tech - contact center - etc.)
• Skill in analyzing data for self-driven (independent) performance improvement projects - workload analysis and statistical reports
• Skill in solving problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area
• Ability to maintain special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections (e.g. - The Joint Commission - Inspector General - American Society of Health System Pharmacists® - controlled substance inspections)
• Ability to develop training programs and material for orientation - competency development and educational needs for regulatory requirements within the specialized pharmacy program area
• Supervisory Pharmacy Technician
• Supervisory pharmacy technicians are responsible for management and supervision of at least three GS-08 pharmacy technicians
• These positions require significant independent technical judgement and expertise in complex areas of pharmacy practice - regulatory requirements and quality standards
• They organize - coordinate and manage programs for the pharmacy service at the facility level
• These pharmacy technicians will be responsible for communicating with VISN or national pharmacy leadership as well as individual facility leadership and staff
• Additional Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees - team leaders and managers
• Ability to utilize staffing methodology principles to determine adequate staffing to coordinate and manage workflow and work activities within pharmacy
• Preferred Experience: PTCB certified
• 3-5 years pharmacy technician experience
• Formal leadership training or experience as a supervisor
• Familiarity with inpatient - outpatient - controlled substance regulations - and procurement
• 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-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09
• Physical Requirements: This position provides services to patients and their families
• Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain - corrective lenses permitted) - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - manual dexterity
• This position may require reaching above shoulder-level height and requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds)
• This position requires long periods of sitting - standing and walking
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties List the major duties and responsibilities of the position Supervises pharmacy technicians as assigned by the Associate Chief - Pharmacy Operations or designee
• Effectively serves as the direct front line supervisor over pharmacy technician staff
• Oversees pharmacy technician scheduling - facilitates meetings/huddles - contributes to performance appraisals - and other supervisory functions as assigned by Associate Chief - Pharmacy Operations or designee
• Serves as a key resource advising others in their particular specialty area or section of the pharmacy (such as procurement - sterile compounding (USP compounding standards) - controlled substances DEA - automation - clinical pharmacy - lead tech - contact center - etc.)
• Analyzes data for self-driven (independent) performance improvement projects - workload analysis and statistical reports
• Solves problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area
• Maintains special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections (e.g. - The Joint Commission - Inspector General - American Society of Health System Pharmacists® - controlled substance inspections)
• Develops training programs and material for orientation - competency development and educational needs for regulatory requirements within the specialized pharmacy program area
• Required to maintain interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees - team leaders and managers
• Utilizes staffing methodology principles to determine adequate staffing to coordinate and manage workflow and work activities within pharmacy
• Analyzes data for self-driven (independent) performance improvement projects - workload analysis and statistical reports
• Solves problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area
• Maintains special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections (e.g. - The Joint Commission - Inspector General - American Society of Health System Pharmacists® - controlled substance inspections)
• Required to have principles - practices - concepts and theories providing for sound independent work
• Responsible for computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent
• Resolves pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team - Veterans and external customers
• Trains developmental pharmacy technicians and students
• Dispenses medication or sterile products following all regulations - policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution
• Troubleshoots automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7am to 3:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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: Ad-hoc Telework may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 59666-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized