Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory)

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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.

02Certification

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). 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).

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).

03Grade Determinations

Pharmacy Technician, GS-08 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.

04Certification

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.) Note Specialized Area: Areas within pharmacy that require advanced knowledge, skills and abilities to ensure a high level of accountability for patient safety, quality of care and/or VHA or other regulatory requirements.

Examples include, but are not limited to compounding sterile products, controlled substance dispensing, research, automation, clinical informatics, quality assurance, hazardous medication compounding/management, immunizations and clinical pharmacy assignments. 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.

Assignments for Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory): For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Pharmacy technicians at this level serve as an ordering officer delegated by the national acquisition center contracting officer for the purpose of ordering against the national pharmacy prime vendor (PPV) contract and national blanket purchase agreements (BPA) for pharmacy. They are responsible for ordering medications and supplies from required sources and meeting contract compliance while maintaining multiple complex accounts with the PPV.

They utilize the Government purchase card program for direct orders up to the micro purchase threshold per VA financial policy. Pharmacy technicians at this level are responsible for regulatory and formulary requirements to meet patient needs within budgetary limits. Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Basic knowledge of pharmacy procurement, distribution and storage requirements to maintain a safe working environment.

This includes not limited to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and DEA requirements and regulations.

Ability to assist in determining and modifying as necessary: ordering intervals, inventory levels and cost-effective ordering quantities from required sources based on current financial conditions in pharmacy, seasonal variations in drug usage, changing patterns in medical practice, delivery time requirements and urgency of medical need.

05Preferred Experience

At least 3 years of experience as a pharmacy technician in an inpatient, hospital, or high-volume outpatient setting. Minimum of 1 year of hands on full-time or parttime experience in pharmacy purchasing, inventory management, or a pharmacy buyer role. Experience should include ordering, receiving, returns/recalls, backorders, as well as reconciling purchase orders, invoices, and credits, and resolving discrepancies with vendors.

Experience with pharmacy information systems, electronic drug dispensing technology, and inventory modules (e.g. Pyxis, Omnicell, McKesson or similar ordering platforms). 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-8.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 31, 2026 or until the position is filled. Functions Independently performs complex pharmaceutical procurement duties, ensuring accurate purchasing, receiving, cost tracking, and full compliance with federal acquisition, VA policies, and government purchase card regulations.

Evaluates product availability, contract restrictions, pricing, and clinical requirements to determine the most cost-effective procurement strategy using FSS, prime vendor, and alternate contract sources. Coordinates and executes all pharmacy-related drug recall activities, including identification, retrieval, documentation, hazard communication, and required follow-up actions to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.

• Conducts detailed verification of incoming stock, resolves discrepancies, and ensures proper storage conditions in accordance with VA, USP, TJC, and OSHA requirements.
• Manages inventory integrity through systematic identification, segregation, documentation, and third-party destruction of outdated or unusable pharmaceuticals and supplies.
• Performs specialized technical setup, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of outpatient automated medication dispensing systems with minimal supervision.

Collects, analyzes, and reports performance data for automated dispensing systems, identifying operational deviations and recommending system improvements to management. Serves as a technical resource and trainer for pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, and other staff on procurement procedures, inventory control systems, and automated dispensing technologies.

Coordinates procurement and replacement of specialty medical supplies for patients, communicating directly with providers and patients to ensure clinically appropriate product selection. Executes special procurement assignments and projects requiring independent judgment, analytical skill, and advanced technical knowledge to support pharmacy operations, efficiency, and patient safety.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30AM - 4PM, Monday - Friday Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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: Ad-hoc.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized