Pharmacy Technician - Automation Specialist

<p>The Automation Specialist Pharmacy Technician is a certified Pharmacy Technician with the ability to support pharmacy automation equipment in all patient care areas at the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Such equipment is procured for the purposes of pharmacy packaging, dispensing, preparation, and storage, and is utilized both within the pharmacy and throughout the facility. Pharmacy technician is assigned to the automation specialized area as the subject matter expert.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Coordinates the technical aspects of pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are aligned with automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized. Incumbent is instrumental in recommending changes for the improvement of the workflow, work methods, and priorities involved within the drug distribution system. Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with Pharmacy automation. This will involve trouble shooting, regularly gathering data, analyzing, and interpreting VA data and formulating action plans. Ensures that automated dispensing data is archived within established guidelines for each type of equipment. Ability to participate in process actions teams to improve automation quality and safety, continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. Resolves problems and complaints regarding all pharmacy and automated dispensing automation, troubleshooting problems with all automated dispensing equipment when production is compromised and alerts appropriate personnel. Has oversight responsibility of the user files of all automated dispensing systems. Has oversight responsibility for the addition of new items and deletion of obsolete items from all automated dispensing systems. Ensure that equipment is cleaned and maintained to minimize downtime. Develops training programs and material for orientation. Trains, orients, and completes competencies for pharmacy staff, and other medical center staff involved in operating the automation. Provides data for workload reports and process improvement projects to appropriate supervisors. Thoroughly understands VA Pharmacy procurement and formulary and uses this knowledge to appropriately manage Pharmacy automation equipment. Thoroughly understands investigational drug policies and procedures, if applicable, as they relate to Pharmacy automation equipment. Attends regulatory meetings regarding all Automation and provides learned knowledge to the pharmacy staff. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements. Reviews proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed. Monitors utilization data, generate inventory and usage reports and supports medication charge processes within automated systems. Understands which automation settings, features, and decisions require licensed pharmacist review and determination, and consults with the Pharmacy Informatics Program Manager in these situations. Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality. Perform duties of all lower grade technicians as needed. Participate in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacy. Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service as assigned. Assists higher level technicians as needed Inpatient services may include but are not limited to such areas as aseptic admixture preparation including cytotoxic agents, automatic and on-demand ward stock replenishment, maintenance, operation of automated prepackaging and dispensing equipment, assembly, and documentation of controlled substance requests and properly packaging with documentation of single unit of use medications. Outpatient services may include but are not limited to outpatient prescription filling, pharmacy phone triage, window prescription dispensing, narcotic vault assignments, maintenance, and operation of automated prescription dispensing equipment, and packaging of mail out prescriptions Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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.<h3>Education</h3>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/.