Career Center

Pharmacy Procurement Technician The incumbent functions as a Specialized Pharmacy Technician primarily in the Pharmacy Service within the VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VHACIHS). This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. All requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-7 Pharmacy Technician Experience: One year experience at the next lower level, GS-6, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, which include: 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. AND Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Preferred Experience: 1-year or more highly specialized experience in hospital pharmacy procurement practice and responsibilities to include but not limited to perpetual inventory automation and operating systems, on-line medication and supply procurement, purchasing contracts, government purchase card holder, B09 reconciliation, establishing stock levels and reorder points, pharmaceutical reverse distribution, annual wall-to-wall inventory, and medication recall/patient safety notice evaluation and returns. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, climbing with legs, both legs required ["Duties include, but are not limited to: Administrative duties:\na. Responsible for Pharmacy inventory management principles and practice (e.g., establishing PAR stock levels, re-order points, item location security and accountability)\nb. Maintains compliance with controlled substances inventory accountability, security and related principles and practice.\nc. Maintains the ability to operate procurement and inventory automation, computer applications, and related systems.\nd. Compiles and provides reports to Pharmacy supervisors related to inventory purchases, turns, usage, returns, control point transactions, and other accounting parameters related to Pharmacy procurement and this position.\ne. Maintains the ability to comprehend and manage Pharmacy control point accounting and related functions effectively and in a timely manner. This includes, but is not limited to, weekly accounting of the prime vendor account, weekly B09 reports, control point monitors, Pharmacy procurement monitors, and purchase card reconciliation.\nf. Reviews drug/product shortages and communicates information to members of Pharmacy leadership in a timely manner. Assists with the identification of alternative drugs/products and alternative procurement sources of drugs/products affected by shortages.\ng. Has operational responsibility for all ongoing inventories of drug products and pharmaceutical supplies and their procurement. Cost-effective turnover must be consistently identified and maintained. As a result, the incumbent must possess a thorough knowledge and understanding of procurement sources (e.g., prime vendor, government excess, posted stock, military depot, and local), VA manual and associate circular procedures, and hospital procurement policies. Displaying a thorough understanding of policies and procedures, the incumbent utilizes basic accounting and budgetary skills to assure pharmaceuticals and supplies are maintained in the most cost-effective manner. In addition, the incumbent must possess a thorough understanding of the multidisciplinary functions in the Acquisition & Material Management Service (A&MMS)- Fiscal-Pharmacy cycle to identify and eliminate bottlenecks relating to the receipt of purchases and maintaining the Pharmacy budget.\nh. Maintains accountability of daily purchases and coordinates receipt, controls budget ledger, assures consistent delivery schedules are employed and handled in a manner mutually beneficial to Acquisition & Material Management Services (A&MMS) and Pharmacy service, and appropriately disperses stock into designated storage areas. Utilizes a working knowledge of US Pharmacopoeia, The Joint Commission (TJC), and VA manual storage requirements, the incumbent determines well-defined storage locations and ensures storage conforms to VA and OSHA standards.\ni. Maintains a consistent and reliable system of retrieval. Files must be routinely purged to avoid accumulation of obsolete material. The incumbent serves as the first-line between company representatives and Pharmacy leadership. As a result, Pharmacy leadership relies heavily on the incumbent's ability to effectively interpret, screen, and transmit accounting and availability data.\nj. Utilizes the prime vendor to order contract items. This involves direct contact with the prime vendor via computer and placement and receipt of drug/supply orders after an assessment of the various contracts and selection of the most cost-effective item. Reviews drug/supply orders on the computer or printed copy, verifying the amount to be ordered, and transmitting the order to the prime vendor. If an item is unavailable, decisions must be made whether or not to order an equivalent generic substitute, different strength, bottle size, or to wait and reorder the next day. Using the prime vendor database, determines the cost differential to purchase from a different manufacturer, as well as the expected due-in date of the unavailable product at the prime vendor.\nk. Determines, establishes, and modifies, as necessary, appropriate ordering intervals, inventory levels, most efficient/effective ordering quantities, sources of supply, etc., based upon current financial conditions in Pharmacy, seasonal variations in drug/supply usage, changing patterns of medical practice, delivery time requirements, urgency of medical need, alternative sources of availability, etc Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday, administrative hours with occasional needs for evening, weekend, and/or holiday flexibility to accommodate Pharmacy project management and Pharmacy Technician staffing needs.\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]