Supervisory Pharmacy Technician

Summary In this role you will be responsible for management and supervision of at least three pharmacy technicians. This requires significant independent technical judgement and expertise in complex areas of pharmacy practice, regulatory requirements and quality standards. You will organize, coordinate and manage programs for the pharmacy service at the facility level and communicate with VISN or national pharmacy leadership as well as individual facility leadership and staff. Learn more about this agency Duties FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE Patient Care Duties: Responsible for all aspects of technician dispensing of inpatient medications including IV's, ward stock, controlled substances, and pharmacy automation devices. Responsible for all aspects of technician dispensing of outpatient medications, including controlled substances. Coordinates sterile compounding training and testing for all new and current employees. Ensures that all training is completed in the appropriate timeframe. Ensures the proper operation and maintenance of all automated pharmacy equipment. Investigates and reconciles daily discrepancies. Patient care functions require in depth knowledge of computerized prescription records system and pharmacy software operating systems, CMOP dispensing and prescription tracking. Perform direct patient care functions where assigned. Must be able to understand, execute, and communicate controlled substance procedures. Encourage pharmacy technicians to report actual and/or potential medication errors or adverse events and participate in quality improvement initiatives to promote patient safety. Administrative/Program Management: Coordinates, develops, and oversees the efforts of the assigned technicians in all pharmacy activities. Identifies and assesses workload volume throughout the day to make adjustments designed to meet organizational needs and goals. Ensures and documents that all technicians are trained, competent and compliant with all processes. policies, and procedures. Provides positive and constructive feedback to technicians to promote a positive and successful work environment. Documents and communicates disciplinary action when required. Performs duties of lower graded technicians, as required. Expected to be proficient in all pharmacy technician duties and lead by example in productivity, behavior, attitude, and appearance. Requires the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with Veterans, caregivers, providers, and other VHA personnel. Follows all policies and procedures relating to medication management safety systems which include but are not limited to High Alert Drugs, Look Alike/Sound Alike Drugs, and use safety of Multi dose dispensing pens. Responsible for scheduling, planning, and granting leave. Responsible for timely completion of all items necessary for timecard certification and validation. Ensures that completed appraisals are reviewed and signed by technicians within the scheduled timeframes. Assures all pharmacy employees receive on the job training of technician functions, policies and procedures that are required for their specific position. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: Performs duties independently in most areas of pharmacy under the general supervision of the Pharmacy Operations Manager. Routine work is coordinated and performed at the initiative of the incumbent. New or revised assignments are provided by the Pharmacy Operations Manager. Communicates trends, problems, and accomplishments affecting all aspects of pharmaceutical care or services provided to Veterans. CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENT: Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Day Tours - Off Tours as needed by the department Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Compressed/Flexible:Not Available 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 Functional Statement #: 0000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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: 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: None Required. 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. 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) Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/ registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Pharmacy Technician GS-9 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8). AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. AND The candidate must demonstrate all the following additional supervisory 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.