Pharmacy Technician - Coordinator

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to Madison VA employees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

FUNCTIONS or SCOPE of ASSIGNED DUTIES:
The Pharmacy Technician Coordinator for the Anticoagulation Clinic shall provide and support clinical operations of the Anticoagulation Clinic and its CPPs. All assigned clinical activities and function shall be completed in accordance with approved clinical pharmacy protocols or procedures.

A. Clinical

1. Coordinate with Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners (CPPs) to provide population health/management functions using patient care dashboards to identify patients for potential intervention within the Anticoagulation Clinic.
2. Support care coordination in the Anticoagulation setting, including but not limited to relaying interruptions to plans, changes to
   patients' medications, transitions of care, as-needed Medical Support Assistants (MSA) coverage, and other activities per CPP
   request.
3. Maintain an extensive working knowledge of anticoagulation process, anticoagulation medications, monitoring parameters,
   safety rules and regulations, and quality standards as required to manage all aspects of compliance with these standards with limited
   input from pharmacy supervisors.
4. Conduct patient interviews, including medication history, anticoagulation history, and effectiveness of anticoagulation, need for medication refills, and investigating causes of therapeutic irregularities.
5. Enter progress notes into the patient medical record.

B. Coordinator Tasks

1. Function at a higher independent level than lower grade technicians more than 25% of the time. As coordinator provides guidance to lower graded technical staff to ensure workload is being done in a timely and efficient manner. This also includes teaching, training, and oversight of different level pharmacy students/interns.
2. Coordinates care transitions within the Anticoagulation Clinic:
   • Calls new patients to provide overview of the Anticoagulation clinic, review pertinent medications, and schedule for initial visit.
   • Contacts skilled nursing facilities for anticoagulated patients (admission and discharge) to review medication lists and
     clarify disposition plans.
   • Communicates and provides handoff to other VA facilities when anticoagulated patients are discharged from Madison
     VA Hospital.
3. Supports CPP with care management, including by not limited to relaying interruption plans, medication changes, and monitoring
   plans.
4. Lead morning huddles to foster team cohesion and identify urgent staffing needs or other unplanned challenges.
5. Manage and coordinate IT -related matters to ensure continuous uninterrupted Anticoagulation Clinic operations. Communicate
   updates to team and supervisor.

C. Administrative Tasks

1. Prioritize operational and assigned clinical functions to provide the highest quality of patient care.
2. Provide scheduling, telephone triage, records requests, and faxing in MSA absence.
3. Address telephone calls from patients/caregivers related to pharmacy or medication supply needs.
4. Evaluate problems and provide appropriate solutions or refer to the CPP when beyond the technician's level of knowledge or
   expertise.
5. Document pertinent patient related information for coordination of care in the electronic medical record.

D. Technical

1. Serve as a resource between Pharmacy Service and other health care providers as needed.
2. Identify areas for improvement within the workflow of Anticoagulation CPP practice to facilitate the delivery of care to
   Veterans.
3. Display competency in the use of all pharmacy resources, including computer software and hardware and other technology.
4. Collaborate with pharmacy learners or other medical staff when appropriate.
5. Evaluate, analyze workflows, and coordinate work activities to continually improve the efficiency and safety of clinic practices,
   including involvement with formal and informal improvement activities.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630
Compressed/Flexible:N/A
Telework: N/A
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 07014F

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.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.

Qualifications

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: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Certification: The employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
(a) PTCB as a CPhT.
OR,
(b) NHA as a ExCPT.

A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering

Assignment: Pharmacy technician coordinators perform the full range of program coordination in their specialized area of pharmacy. These positions require independent technical judgement and expertise in complex areas of pharmacy practice that have specific laws, significant regulatory requirements and quality/safety standards. They organize, coordinate and manage single or multiple programs under the delegation of pharmacy supervisors or Associate Chiefs. Pharmacy technicians at this level must have expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for the complex program area and manage all aspects of compliance with these standards with limited input from pharmacy supervisor(s). Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a coordinator in areas requiring detailed regulatory oversight and record keeping including, but not limited, to the Controlled Substance Program, Research/Investigational Drug Program, Procurement, Automation & Informatics program, Quality/Patient Safety, Clinical or Call Center.

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).

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following:

GS-9 Pharmacy Technician Grade Determinations:

Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8). One year of experience as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA):
GS-8
1. Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section.
2. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
3. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following GS-9 KSAs:
1. 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.).
2. Skill in analyzing data for self-driven (independent) performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports.
3. Skill in solving problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area.
4. 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).
5. Ability to develop training programs and material for orientation, competency development and educational needs for regulatory requirements within the specialized pharmacy program area.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements: Refence VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

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

• PTCB or NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• PTCB or NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician
• Full Length Resume
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps