Pharmacy Technician - Cache Pharmacy Manager & Quality Assurance Technician

Summary

The Pharmacy Technician - Cache Pharmacy Manager & Quality Assurance Technician is a highly specialized technician, who will perform a variety of complex functions in the areas of emergency preparedness and overall pharmacy operations.

Duties

As the All-Hazards Emergency Cache Pharmacy Manager, the incumbent will ensure pharmacy compliance with the All-Hazards Emergency Cache Program as outlined in Pharmacy Directive 1047(1). This includes management of both Washington DC VA Medical Center emergency supplies and VA Central Office emergency supplies stored within the facility. This individual will work under the supervision of the Pharmacy Chief. The incumbent will consistently demonstrate independent technical judgement and comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of relevant pharmacy operations. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Ensure pharmacy compliance with the All-Hazards Emergency Cache Program as outlined in Pharmacy Directive 1047(1). This includes management of both Washington DC VA Medical Center emergency supplies and VA Central Office emergency supplies stored within the facility. Verifying the accurate completion of cache product rotation and inventory. Ensuring rotated stock is available for VA medical facility or within VISN use. Appropriately re-labeling stock managed in the SLEP as required. Processing expired items in the most cost-effective manner, which may include utilizing the contracted reverse distributor or other vendor which can manage pharmaceutical waste. Ensuring all cache items are stored separately from pharmacy inventory. Any cache controlled substances which are stored within the facility pharmacy vault must be kept in sealed totes and not intermingled with other controlled substances at the facility. Ensuring that all cache items are stored in a manner consistent with VHA Directive 1108.07, Pharmacy General Requirements, dated March 10, 2017, and manufacturer's recommendations. Ensuring the AHEC room temperature (20-25°C) and humidity (20-60 percent relative humidity) is monitored. Ensuring direct communication with EPS regarding the following: i. Cache activation including the products used with lot numbers during activation, exercise, or drill. ii. Drill dates and training waivers if AHEC products are removed from AHEC. Oversee monthly medication storage inspection program for all locations in the medical center and the CBOCs to include, when necessary, completion of inspections in compliance with Joint Commission and VA directive. Provide training on the correct completion of monthly storage inspections. Oversee use of TempTrak system in the monitoring of temperature and humidity in compliance with Joint Commission and VA directive to include daily reviewing system and assigning staff access to system. Oversee compliant utilization of pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators and freezers. Lead reverse distribution activities to include ensuring appropriate processing and credit receipt. Complete other quality assurance duties as assigned by Pharmacy Chief or Associate Chief of Pharmacy within needed areas of pharmacy operations. Collaborate effectively with all internal pharmacy staff and external staff to include OI&T, FMS, EMS, and HTM to support quality assurance activities. Assists with inventory management and ordering of medications. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Perform all the duties of lower grade technicians, as required. May be assigned to other Pharmacy service work areas as required by patient care needs to maintain consistency of services as authorized by the Chief, Pharmacy, or designee. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. You must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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). 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). 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 licensure/certification/registration 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: Pharmacy Technician, GS-8 In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy T