Career Center

The Pharmacy Procurement/Inventory Management Technician is responsible for all prescription and non prescription medication and supply purchasing and inventory control. This responsibility mandates compliance with all VHA and federal rules and regulations regarding contract compliance, purchase card procedures, reconciliation requirements, control point rules, controlled substance purchasing, purchasing documentation maintenance, and general inventory control processes. 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/Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: A certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-7- Experience. One-year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. I In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): B. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. References: VA Handbook, Appendix G28. Physical Requirements: Some of the work is sedentary. Duties regularly involve carrying light items such as files, computer printouts, etc. for short distances. When medication/supply orders are received, lifting up to 40 pounds, bending, stooping and stretching is required to stock shelves. ["Duties include but are not limited to the following: Medication and Supply Purchasing-\n-Effectively coordinates, manages, completes and documents the purchasing of all prescription and non prescription drug products and supplies, including ostomy supplies.\n-Establishes processes and procedures for borrowing items from area hospitals or pharmacies on an emergency basis and ensures their safe transport to the medical center. Ensures timely and appropriate product reconciliation with the loaning organization.\n-Assures consistent vendor delivery schedules that support the needs and goals of both Acquisition & Material Management (A&MMS) and the Pharmacy Department.\n-Maintains communication with the pharmaceutical and supply industry and the pharmacy's pharmacoeconomic team. Consistent with these relationships, analyzes market and delivery systems in order to assess present and future material availability, and coordinates orders that support cost-effective and timely product availability.\n-Investigates and resolves shipping and receiving errors from vendors and suppliers in compliance with hospital fiscal policies. To support this compliance, incumbent maintains a thorough understanding of the multidisciplinary functions and activities in the A&MMS (Acquisition & Material Management Service)-Fiscal Pharmacy cycle and identifies and eliminates bottlenecks relating to the receipt of purchases and maintaining the pharmacy budget. Reports and resolves discrepancies and reconciles orders in a timely manner.\n-Utilizes the prime vendor to order Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) items. This involves direct contact with the prime vendor via computer modem and placement and receipt of drug order after an assessment of the various contracts available and selection of the most cost-effective item. Reviews drug orders on computer screen/printed copy, verifying amount to be ordered and transmitting the order to the prime vendor. If an item is unavailable, decides whether or not to order an equivalent generic substitute, different strength, bottle size, or wait and reorder the next day. Coordinates with management and the pharmacoeconomic team when necessary concerning drug unavailability. 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 produce at the prime vendor.\n-Acts as an active liaison with A&MMS in identifying alternative procurement sources, expediting interim and emergency orders, resolving administrative and procedural problems, etc. Controlled Substance Purchase and Receipt: Ensures compliance with all controlled substances rules and regulations as defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the VHA Controlled Substance Handbook (VHA Handbook 1108.1). Included are the extensive requirements for placing narcotic orders, receipt of narcotic orders, and the immediate transport of received narcotics to the respective narcotic vault. Holds Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS) certification and manages the local program. Accounting and Administration:\n-Maintains documentation and accountability of daily purchases, and coordinates product receipt and budget ledger / control point management.\n-Works directly with supervisory personnel regarding control point management and purchase expenditures to support and ensure department budgetary compliance.\n-Maintains a complete and current record keeping and retrieval system Files are routinely purged to avoid accumulation of obsolete material. Inventory Control:\n-Determines, establishes, and modifies, as necessary, appropriate and efficient ordering intervals, par inventory levels, efficient/effective ordering quantities, and supply sources based on seasonal variations in drug usage, changing patterns of medical practice, delivery time requirements, urgency of medical need, and alternative sources of availability. Uses each of these factors as well as basic accounting / budgetary skills and knowledge of A&MMS property management and procurement requirements as the basis for product.\n-Ensures that stock is dispersed into designated storage areas with appropriate shelf labeling and consistent with storage requirements based on VA, OSHA, US Pharmacopoeia, and JCAHP standards. Miscellaneous Functions:\n-Performs any duties and special projects deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service, for the proper operation of the Pharmacy Department.\n-Performs a variety of pharmacy technician activities as needed. These may include but are not limited to Unit Dose Medication Management, Sterile Manufacturing, Bulk Compounding, and/or Outpatient Dispensing, and Vault dispensing. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:00pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Not available.\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 21L64-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized,"]