Career Center

This position is directly under the clinical and administrative direction of the Associate Chief for Pharmacy Informatics and Procurement at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS). The individual serves as a Pharmacy Informatics Technician for the entire multi-divisional TVHS with primary duties and responsibility to Pharmacy Service Operations. 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: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is 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, Part IV, VA Handbook 5005. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-7:One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the following KSAs at the next lower level. 1) Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2) Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3) Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4) Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 5) And knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical GS-7 KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. 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. Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. Quality of Experience. To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards. March 17, 2006.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion including walking, bending, prolonged standing, stooping, lifting and carrying packages weighing up to 40 pounds. Dexterity is required for the operation of Pharmacy equipment. ["Pharmacy Technicians are responsible for collection, design, integration, modification, maintenance and analysis of data, data management services, networking and computerized medical record operation within Pharmacy Service to assist and support Pharmacy Service managerial decision making. This individual coordinates with Pharmacy Informatics to develop and implement all pertinent information applications to support clinical practice, administration, educational development, research initiatives and computerized medical record in Pharmacy Service in order to anticipate and meet the pharmaceutical needs of internal and external customers and mission, vision, and goals of Pharmacy Service, TVHS, and VISN 9. The incumbent is an important adjunct liaison between Pharmacy Service and Information Management Service (IMS) and TVHS Clinical Informatics. Coordinates with Information Technology Operations (iTOPs)/Office of Information and Technology (OIT) service to support programs, hardware and technical assistance needed to foster safe medication use and pharmacy services throughout the medical center. Assists in submitting Pharmacy electronic new or modified user access requests as dictated by staff role and new software developments within the EHR (CPRS/VistA). Identifies and reports pharmacy application, processes, or workflow issues to improve performance and/or correct problems. Identifies and reports patient safety issues related to informatics and coordinates staff reports of identified problems or potential patient safety issues Develops and provides training for VistA users, for both Pharmacy Service and departments which utilize pharmacy systems. This training includes basic understanding of the various systems, procedures, technical issues, and problem solving. Collaborates with pharmacy procurement, pharmacoeconomist or other pharmacy management team members to assure proper cost accounting and reimbursement for specialized programs such as specialty services, Non-VA care initiatives, and CMOP Accesses and analyzes complex information and in turn reduces to precise written summaries, reports, and/or recommendations Serve as back-up Pharmacy Automated Data Processing Applications Coordinator (ADPAC) for Pharmacy Service as requested. Utilize pharmacy web-based and other professional and peer-reviewed drug resources as needed to carry out daily duties Comply with safety and environmental rules and regulations for safe job performance Demonstrates a professional and courteous attitude in dealing with external customers including visitors, vendors, veteran service organizations, and all affiliates in person or virtually Work Schedule: Based on the needs of the service (the specific tours of duty will be discussed during the interview).\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\n.Functional Statement #: 00000 - Pharmacy Technician - Informatics\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]