Summary The Quality Assurance Pharmacy Technician is certified, highly specialized technician, under the Chief of Pharmacy Service or designee, and functions independently to provide support to clinical and operational activities as assigned. Serves as a leader in the area on various topics including, workflow management, safety, and quality management guidance and accountability. Responsibilities The incumbent must be highly organized and demonstrate a concerned and critical attitude toward accuracy, detail, control, and loss management and function with minimal supervision. The incumbent is responsible investigation and providing feedback for increased efficiency and workflow improvement. Major Duties: Monitors pharmacy staff trainings are maintained and documented with acceptable skills & competency and develops training documents and trains all incoming technicians on procedures and workflow. Ensures strict accountability of the outpatient pharmacy areas is in regulatory compliance e.g. DEA, OIG, VHA Policies, < USP> and prepares staff for survey reviews. Assures routine & scheduled maintenance and service for pharmacy automated equipment is completed and documented according to pharmacy policies and guidelines. Performs periodic quality assurance checks to ensure continued readiness of Pharmacy Service operations and standardization of work. Evaluated compliance with accepted standards mandated by auditing & accrediting agencies. Notifies unit supervisors of deficiencies needing corrected, a proposed plan on how to correct, and obtaining a timeline for completion. Reports inspection and/or OIG deficiencies to the Chief, Pharmacy Services &/or the Pharmacy Supervisors for follow-up corrective action if needed. Serves as disinterested party responsible for the reconciliation of destructions in VistA following monthly reverse distributor destructions. Primarily monitors and responds to PATS-R system and notifies supervisor as appropriate. Complete a monthly PATS-R review with all identified staff present and responsible for maintaining action plans to provide better customer service. Ensures metrics and compliance are met with VHA requirements and patient flow with discharge medications. Utilizes pharmacy information systems to answer patient or provider questions related to status of their prescription(s), completion date, package tracking, etc. Trains all incoming pharmacy student technicians in for required Outpatient Procedure as directed by the Outpatient Supervisors. Documents phone conversations in electronic health record for future reference if appropriate. Completes additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm CST, possible rotation of weekends and holidays as needed for patient care. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). 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. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). (A copy of your certification must be submitted with your application.) 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-9 Specialized Experience: Must possess at least one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower level (GS-8) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. You must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-8 level which includes: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work; Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent; Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers; Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students; Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution; Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. In addition, you must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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. Preferred Experience: Outpatient and/or Quality Assurance Experience and/or Team Lead Experience and *Proficient in computer skills (Outlook, Microsoft word, Microsoft Excel, etc.) preferred References: VA Handbook 5005/159, Part II, Appendix G28 Physical Requirements: The work is primarily performed while sitting, though some work may require periods of standing and occasional lifting. The regular and recurring work of this position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and occasional visits to community and nationwide sites. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information 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.