Lead Pharmacy Technician

Summary The Lead Pharmacy Technician has operational responsibility for complex administrative and distributive areas of pharmacy practice for all pharmacies across VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. The technician may also function as a pharmacy technician in the pharmacy to meet patient care needs. The incumbent is responsible for development and coordination of assigned NWI-wide pharmacy Electronic Health Record (EHR) technician solutions management. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Electronic Health Record (EHR) Management/Pharmacy Administration: The Pharmacy Lead Technician performs a wide variety of administrative, management, and coordinating duties in support of pharmacy programs. Coordinating personnel actions with Human Resources and utilizing HR platforms, prepares appropriate forms (e.g. SF52's) for pharmacy personnel actions. Serving as the administrative timekeeper for Pharmacy Leadership and as a backup timekeeper for the individual pharmacy T&Ls and their timekeepers. Coordinates travel requests for Pharmacy Service with the traveler and the Travel Office utilizing online travel system. Coordinates equipment procurement process for Pharmacy Service with Pharmacy Leadership and the Equipment Committee. Prepares agendas and minutes for the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and the Executive Summary of the P&T Committee meeting for the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff. Educates pharmaceutical representatives on Health Care System Policies and Procedures for pharmaceutical representatives and utilizes O.R. Trax for managing appointment requests with Pharmacy Leadership. Serves as administrative liaison with Academic Affiliates for Pharmacy Service to coordinate processing and scheduling of student practice experiences in compliance with all OAA/VHA regulations and requirements in conjunction with the Pharmacy Manager and ACOS-Education. Serves as the Pharmacy Week Liaison and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing Pharmacy Week activities, This includes organizing team-building events, recognition activities, and communication initiatives that support departmental morale and staff engagement. Addresses and attempts to resolve complaints from employees, patients, and healthcare providers, referring more serious unresolved complaints to Pharmacy Management Team. Assists the Pharmacy Program Manager - Quality Management/Research with the receipt, storage, and record keeping for investigational drug protocols. Assists the Pharmacy Program Manager - Quality Management/Research with managing the pharmacy-controlled substance program to ensure the program operates in a manner that is consistent with all regulatory requirements. Collaborate with the Pharmacy Program Manager - Inventory/Procurement on completion of patient notification and documentation for patient level medication recalls. Pharmacy ADPAC Program: The Pharmacy Lead Technician performs technical duties involving user accounts, security, and access. Collaborating and coordinating with the Pharmacy Manager to obtain, modify, and update user accounts using the Electronic Permission Access System (ePAS). Serving as a Pharmacy Service Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Sponsor, following all applicable HSPD-12 regulations while assisting pharmacy employees with the PIV process. Drives the onboarding and out-processing processes for new or departing staff, students, and residents. Serves as an expert resource of pharmacy EHR information for NWI pharmacy staff and mentor facility pharmacy technician staff to elevate local expertise and abilities. Clinical Program: The Pharmacy Lead Technician performs technical tasks involving clinical quality improvement projects and drug conversions. Pharmacy Dispensing/Distribution Services: The Pharmacy Lead Technician will be involved in assuring appropriate, safe, and accurate medications are dispensed to veterans in an efficient manner. The lead technician will provide a range of medication management and administrative services. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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: Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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 ( 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. 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 by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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. 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: Lead Pharmacy Technician, GS-08: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) and demonstrate the KSAs below. GS-7 level experience requires the below 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. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT. OR NHA as a ExCPT. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: 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.) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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: 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: Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.