Pharmacy Technician (Procurement)

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. 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).

02Certification

The employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR, (b) National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

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). In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following: GS-8 Pharmacy Technician Grade Determinations: Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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.

03Preferred experience

• Previous pharmacy technician experience with a minimum of 2 years in a healthcare or retail pharmacy setting. - Pharmacy inventory management and procurement. - Managing large inventories, including handling expired medications, recalls, and proper disposal procedures. - Analyzing usage patterns and adjust inventory levels to avoid shortages and overstock. - Data analysis tools and techniques to optimize procurement processes.- Cerner/Oracle and McKesson Connect experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

04Physical Requirements

The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting or carrying of heavy pharmaceutical supplies or mail bags weighing up to 80 pounds, bending, and stopping.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives.

At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. Major duties: Serve as ordering officer for pharmacy service, delegated by the VA National Acquisition Center (NAC) while maintaining annual training requirements.

Initiates ordering requirements of pharmaceuticals, specialty, and supply items through pharmacy prime vendors multi complex accounts or other mandatory sources. Responsible for adherence to federal contracts and compliance with federal regulations regarding open market, ensuring inventory control through perpetual evaluation. Procures all types of pharmaceuticals including controlled and noncontrolled drugs.

Purchases using National contracts (NAT), Federal supply schedules (FSS), Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) and open market etc. to ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and policy. Purchases using government issued credit cards for micro purchase limits with understanding of when to use. Utilizes proper inventory management to ensure sufficient stock of medications and supply are available to meet the needs of the pharmacy and patient care.

Assists in training and orients new personnel, volunteers, students, etc., in the technical phases of operations. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02199F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized