Summary This position is located in the Leeds, MA Pharmacy Service of Central Western Massachusetts Veterans Health Administration. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Pharmacy Technician GS-0661-09 General Description: Pharmacy Service oversees all pharmacy operations at the campus of the VA Medical Center. This position will provide a full range of administrative and program support to Pharmacy Services at the CW Massachusetts Veterans Medical Center. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, or Supervisory Pharmacy Technician, the Pharmacy Technician performs routine pharmacy functions including receiving prescriptions from patients in writing or electronically from physicians. Pharmacy Technicians prepare prescriptions by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing the medication if necessary. Pharmacy Technicians maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, stock, and take inventory of medications. Pharmacy Technician prepare medications for inpatients in various settings, including sterile product preparation. The incumbent's duties will entail oversight of administrative aspects of service programs to include data gathering, analysis, tracking, trending, and reporting, budget preparation and other fiscal duties including fund control point and other expenditure tracking, interactions with Veterans, their families and representatives, writing reports and controlled correspondence, and other duties as assigned. Duties will require travel to all respective service sites. The role of the GS-09 Pharmacy Technician requires a high degree of analytical capability and specialized knowledge essential to providing effective support to the service. Administrative assistance provided by the incumbent will enable the Chief of the supported service to devote attention to issues involving direct patient care and the management of professional activities. This position reports to the Chief of Pharmacy. Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technician coordinators perform the full range of program coordination in their specialized area of pharmacy. These positions require independent technical judgement and expertise in complex areas of pharmacy practice that have specific laws, significant regulatory requirements and quality/safety standards. They organize, coordinate and manage single or multiple programs under the delegation of pharmacy supervisors or Associate Chiefs. Pharmacy technicians at this level must have an expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for the complex program area and manage all aspects of compliance with these standards with limited input from pharmacy supervisor(s). Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a coordinator in areas requiring detailed regulatory oversight and record keeping including, but not limited, to Controlled Substance Program, Research/Investigational Drug Program, Procurement, Automation & Informatics program, Quality/Patient Safety, Clinical or Call Center. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F08423 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 examination. 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) 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 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). Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-0661-09 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: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. Scope of Assigned Duties (85%) Serves as Pharmacy Service's liaison and primary contact for the service line. Communicates and acts on behalf of Pharmacy with all service lines within the health care system, outside agencies, VISN, CMOP, regional Clinical Resource Hub, Consortium, and National level where required. Serves as subject matter expert for program area personnel and provides statistical data, report metrics, and oversight of pharmacy specialized programs to pharmacy leadership. Operates independently in accomplishing assigned functions within established timelines and accepted organizational practices. Able to manage or supervise program area personnel as needed and required. Performs duties with significant scope and responsibility to provide system support for pharmacy programs. These programs may have a high degree of visibility and impact on VHA Health Care delivery and may affect multiple VA Health Care Systems within the VISN, Clinical Resource HUBs, Consortiums, or national programs. The Pharmacy Technician advises top level agency managers on new developments and advances related to the program area. Create reports, proposals, and budgetary analysis for senior management to assist in effective long-range forecasting of pharmacy operations. Serves as a resource person in planning, reviewing, or revising policies and procedures that impact Pharmacy Service operations and other service lines. Resource in data collection and analysis and participates in the development of strategies for implementation of projects and policy changes. This position requires independent technical judgement and expertise in complex areas of pharmacy practice that have specific laws, significant regulatory requirements, and quality/safety standards. Incumbent must organize, coordinate, and manage single or multiple programs under the delegation of pharmacy supervisors or Associate Chiefs. The Pharmacy Technician is assigned as Record Management Liaison and must coordinate in areas requiring detailed regulatory oversight and record keeping, including, but not limited to, Controlled Substance Program, Research/Investigation Drug Program, Procurement, Automation and Informatics Program, Quality/Patient Safety, Clinical or Call Center. Abides by all standards for record keeping management and disposition. Provides for the budgeting and financial management for the organization, including budget formulation, justification and execution, financial management and financial reporting. Inputs department projected budgets and financial needs into 4Cast system for leadership review. Responds to all questions related to the budget package and directs execution of the approved budget. Reviews office needs, plans, and goals to develop budget data and justification for review and approval. Monitors balances and status of projects and recommends reprogramming of funds as needed. Justifies requests for reprogramming as necessary. Reviews financial reports and resolves discrepancies with accounting office. Assures that all expenditures are properly authorized and documented. Certifies invoices in IPPS were appropriate. Submits budget increases/decreases as necessary. Prepares, submits, and signs contract de-obligations as needed and monitors overtime expenditures. Implements administrative policies and procedures for service-wide areas of responsibility. Proposes improvements to administrative directives and policies. Provides advice and guidance on the interpretation and application of administrative directives and instructions. Resolves issues with the purchase and receipt of medical and administrative supplies and equipment when necessary to intervene on behalf of the Chief of Pharmacy. Serves as Contracting Officer Representative for the service line. Incumbent will maintain a level 1 COR certification; aspirational level 2 COR certification. Generates 2237 requests for pharmacy equipment and service purchases and works with Logistics personnel and utilizes a proficiency in FORCE to monitor requests and ensures purchase approvals to avoid non-authorized commitments. Performs budget execution functions to ensure expenditures are consistent with budget formulation plans as the fiscal year progresses. Other duties as assigned. Collateral Duties (15%) Analyzes management plans to determine the impact on administrative processes. Advises management officials, supervisors, and employees on the interpretation and application of a variety of human resources policies, practices, and procedures including staffing, classification, employee relations, benefits, and related areas. Exercises human resources responsibility by initiating requests for recruitment, interviewing, and selecting employees, complying with EEO objectives; planning and assigning work, and maintaining accurate and current position descriptions and functional statements. Communicates with applicants to include scheduling and participating in interviews. Proficient in resume review. Presents position requests to the resource executive council. Uploads hiring packages to HR software systems. Initiates HR actions, such as SF-52's, to HR software systems. Ensures performance ratings are submitted in a timely manner in accordance with regulatory guidelines Serves as an administrative resource and clearing point for personnel management activities. Drafts functional statements. Prepares position/function/organizational charts to ensure they reflect the evolving program changes. Anticipates vacancies and prepares proposals for request to hiring authority. Proposals include workload, patient service needs, and any anticipated program changes. Monitors and maintains personnel files and submits yearly reviews to Human Resources. Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Preferred candidates will have experience with pharmacy supply chain management and inventory control, leadership skills, financial oversight, and knowledge of regulatory compliance. Candidates should possess strong communication and analytical abilities. Prior management experience is also preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 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. 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.
