Supervisory Pharmacy Technician (HSA 5.3 Clinical Contact Center)

Veterans Health Administration • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Supervisory Pharmacy Technician assists pharmacy management in providing and coordinating pharmaceutical care activities for the Health System Area 5.3 Clinical Contact Center (CCC). The role directs the work of CCC pharmacy technicians, including planning and organizing activities, reviewing work, resolving personnel matters, and communicating effectively and professionally with employees. The position is remote eligible and currently exempt from return-to-office requirements, although the exemption is reviewed annually and does not guarantee permanent remote status. The selectee must live or be willing to relocate at their own expense within 50 miles of an HSA 5.3 VA facility catchment area: Albuquerque, Greater Los Angeles, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Phoenix, Prescott, San Diego, or Tucson. The position may require reporting to an office within the catchment area.

This is a GS-09, full-performance-level supervisory position. Supervisory pharmacy technicians manage and supervise at least three GS-08 pharmacy technicians and exercise significant independent technical judgment and expertise in complex pharmacy practice, regulatory requirements, and quality standards. They coordinate pharmacy service programs and communicate with VISN or national pharmacy leadership and facility leaders and staff. The incumbent may also perform GS-6, GS-7, or GS-8 Pharmacy Technician duties when needed.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday on a rotational shift schedule within the range of 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST/PDT. The posting states that the position is fully remote, while also noting that the selectee may be required to report to an office within the catchment area. Sign-on and relocation incentives are not authorized, and permanent change-of-station relocation assistance is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable law.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For the GS-09 grade, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level.
• Active national pharmacy technician certification through either PTCB as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or NHA as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• Expert knowledge serving as a key resource in a specialty area or section of pharmacy.
• Skill analyzing data for independent performance-improvement projects, workload analysis, and statistical reports.
• Skill solving problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize program outcomes.
• Ability to maintain special accreditations and prepare for national reviews or inspections.
• Ability to develop training programs and materials for orientation, competency development, and regulatory education needs.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships when dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
• Ability to apply staffing methodology principles to determine adequate staffing and coordinate pharmacy workflow and work activities.
• Must be located, or willing to relocate at personal expense, within 50 miles of an HSA 5.3 VA facility catchment area.
• Must meet applicable background/security investigation, pre-employment drug-testing, physical examination, identification, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must complete a one- or two-year trial period if appointed, subject to the conditions described in the posting.
• Must meet the application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of supervisory or management experience as a Pharmacy Technician.

Responsibilities

• Administer human resources actions and personnel matters, dealing effectively with employees and union representatives.
• Prepare the tour-of-duty schedule for VISN CCC Pharmacy technicians.
• Approve or deny leave requests, including annual and sick leave.
• Ensure compliance with established VA and pharmacy policies and procedures.
• Perform quality control reviews of pharmacy technicians' work and calls.
• Complete performance evaluations and recommendations for awards or disciplinary actions, and make recommendations to the VISN CCC Pharmacist Supervisor.
• Participate in creating and updating VISN CCC Pharmacy Services standard operating procedures.
• Review service-specific competencies, ensure existing competencies remain relevant, and ensure needed competencies are developed.
• Assist with interviewing and selecting VISN CCC Pharmacy technicians.
• Conduct technician meetings and huddles to communicate departmental and hospital updates.
• Encourage reporting of actual or potential medication errors and adverse events, and participate in quality-improvement initiatives to promote patient safety.
• Manage workload and prioritize assignments to meet routine and unexpected deadlines.
• Participate in relevant meetings, conferences, and training programs to develop and maintain the VISN CCC Pharmacy Service.
• Evaluate the VISN CCC Pharmacy Service for opportunities for improvement.
• Help coordinate onboarding, including new employee training and orientation to computer systems.
• Implement and document technician training and expanded capabilities.
• Identify continuing education and training needs and respond to them as necessary.
• Assist in preparing and updating VISN CCC Pharmacy Service training materials.
• Perform GS-6, GS-7, or GS-8 Pharmacy Technician duties when needed.
• Organize, coordinate, and manage pharmacy service programs and communicate with VISN or national pharmacy leadership and facility leadership and staff.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000 may qualify, after 60 days of employment, for a childcare subsidy of up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term-life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Potential credit toward annual-leave accrual for prior federal or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; credit is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed