Duties

Summary

The Pharmacy Informatics Technician is responsible for assessment, design, integration, modification, maintenance and analysis of pharmacy automation, data management services, networking and computerized medical records for Pharmacy Service to assist and support Pharmacy Service managerial decision making. The incumbent is an important liaison between Pharmacy Service, the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T), and Biomedical Engineering.
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Responsibilities

Automation and Technology Technical Expertise

Provides first line support, expertise, and maintenance of all pharmacy-specific automation and Pharmacy Service software systems, and all general hardware and software systems.

Demonstrates not only informatics technical expertise but also accompanying systems thinking to understand how systems work together to achieve intended goals. This includes being familiar with end-user processes.

Provides expertise in the management of various types of system downtimes. Maintains expertise through proactive learning such as conducting market research, attending non-VA pharmacy informatics webinars, resources/training from PBM Clinical Informatics Offices, and reviewing pharmacy informatics literature. Maintains an understanding of the VA's active transition away from VisA/CPRS to Cerner and how to adequately prepare.

Informatics System Administration

Demonstrates leadership and successful program administration through knowledge, self-direction, motivation, organizational abilities, and the ability to function with minimal supervision.

Ensures staff have appropriate, consistent access to various pharmacy informatics systems.

Gathers and interprets data about Pharmacy Service work process and design information systems to capture data about these processes.

Evaluates current information management procedures and practices to determine how effectively current goals are being met and how services could be improved through changes in automation.

Collaborates with Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering, and OI&T personnel to identify computerization needs and is responsible for compiling and submitted annual ADP requests.

Ensures that systems are fully integrated, resources are utilized effectively and efficiently and objectives are met.

Creates computerized files, templates and databases to obtain automated clinical and administrative data used by the DCVAMC Pharmacy Service supervisory staff to produce managerial reports for local, VISN and VA Headquarters purposes.

End-User Training and Education

Develops, coordinates, implements and documents VISAT, LAN and PC training programs, according to assessed need for Pharmacy Service staff.

Develops and maintains competencies for all pharmacy automation in conjunction with the Pharmacy Operations team to include Omnicell, TCGRx, andScriptPro.

Able to train providers, nurses, and pharmacists on pharmacy informatics systems directly.

Maintains end-user resources that are accessible to staff.

Provides clear communications with frontline users regarding pharmacy informatics systems.

Customer Service and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Collaborates effectively to ensure success of pharmacy informatics program. Demonstrates courtesy, respect, and promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment with others.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am- 4:30 pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

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. 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.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. 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.
• 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.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Definitions
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
Grade Determinations
Pharmacy Technician-GS-08
Experience. One year experience at the next lower level of GS-7 and must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-7 lower level.
Examples of GS-7 grade level experience : 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. 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.
GS-7 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
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.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
GS-8 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
*1. Knowledge of human resource management policies and procedures, and the ability to supervise various levels of pharmacy technicians and other technical personnel (for supervisory assignments).
*2. Ability to apply management and leadership principles.
3. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
4. Extensive working knowledge of the pharmacy operation.
5. Ability to assess staff needs and provide appropriate training.

References: See VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements: moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; standing (8 hours); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted)

Education

IMPORTANT: 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 information

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 or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Required
Resume
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf . (Required)
SF 50
Performance appraisal, if applying for promotion
Proof of PTCB certification

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Cover Letter

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.