Summary The position coordinates and oversees all operational aspects of the pharmacy procurement and inventory management in the outpatient and inpatient areas of the pharmacy. Responsibilities include ordering medications, supplies, and equipment from requires sources and meeting contract compliance while maintaining multiple complex accounts with the Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor (PPV). Responsibilities Work Schedule: 7:00am to 3:30pm - may include some holidays and weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 03811F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The procurement/inventory management pharmacy technician will also perform a wide range of duties providing oversight on all pharmacy inventory, including management of pyxis and ward stock medication needs, to ensure standard operating procedures are followed and appropriate order and stock levels are maintained so patient care is not impaired. They stay within budgetary requirements, comply with contracts while maintaining inventory ot meet or exceed the national average performance. They are accountable for pharmacy inventory management in areas such as regulatory and VHA formulary requirements, quality standards and official VA policies/procedures within the inventory management specialized area, conforming to pharmacy legal and professional requirements. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Receives and stocks pharmacy inventory. Rotates pharmacy stock to minimize expiration and under/overstock. Performs necessary destruction of items in the pharmacy inventory as needed. Ensures all purchased products are received and accounted for in appropriate pharmacy VISTA software packages. Receives controlled substance pharmaceutical drug orders. Complies with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations and VHA controlled substance handbooks, directives, and policies. Ensures security of controlled substances per established policies. Ensures that shelf bins are properly labelled with regard to contents and prime vendor supplied shelf labels applied to bin. Processes and documents outdated, unusable, recalled, and excess inventory for return for replacement or credit. Investigates and resolves shipping and receiving errors and delays from vendors and suppliers in compliance with fiscal policies. Coordinates stock reviews to ensure the removal of expired medications and storage in a secured area. Processes pharmacy procurement orders utilizing the government issued credit card, following all applicable rules and regulations. Keeps current on contracts, product availability, and prices to identify appropriate sources and ensures most cost-effective products are purchased through the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS). Utilizes the prime vendor to order FSS items, involving 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. 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. Utilizes knowledge of available contract information and patent right limitations to switch to alternate generic products when available and has working knowledge of drug products. Ensures that incoming stock orders are checked for accuracy, that quantity received corresponds to quantity ordered, and that incoming orders are immediately signed for, removed from cardboard boxes and are identified as having scannable barcodes for inventory, dispensing, and administration purposes. Assists with ensures all creditable medication funds are processed timely. Coordinates and collaborates on command administrative requirements and actions, analyze data or policies to interpret results and provide recommendations to meet the organization's goals and objectives. Responsible for relevant procurement programs as assigned by their supervisor including but not limited to medication recall management, oversight of hazardous pharmaceutical waste program throughout the health care system, all hazards cache management, reverse distribution, and budget management/forecasting. In conjunction with other procurement staff and the Chief, Pharmacy Services, or designee, conducts audits on high alert medication storage and conducts audits for non-controlled substance distribution by analyzing, evaluating, and developing proposed changes in mission, operating procedures, and delegations of authority. Provides all investigative reports to the Central Office to determine appropriate changes or if corrective action is required. Conducts reviews of all open market purchases to ensure appropriateness and safety of drug product selection. Compiles information and updates budgetary spreadsheet of all Pharmacy Service's control point expenditures along with future expenditure needs on a weekly basis provided to the Chief of Pharmacy or designee. Other duties as assigned by management. 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: 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. 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). 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). Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory), GS-09 Experience. One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level. 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 and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: Expert knowledge serving as a key resource advising others in their particular specialty area or section of the pharmacy (such as procurement, sterile compounding (USP compounding standards), controlled substances DEA, automation, clinical pharmacy, lead tech, contact center, etc.). Skill in analyzing data for self-driven (independent) performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports. Skill in solving problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area. Ability to maintain special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections (e.g., The Joint Commission, Inspector General, American Society of Health System Pharmacists®, controlled substance inspections). Ability to develop training programs and material for orientation, competency development and educational needs for regulatory requirements within the specialized pharmacy program area. Knowledge of pharmaceutical and supply inventory requirements to ensure compliance with regulations and national/audit/inspections (e.g., financial regulations, The Joint Commission, Inspector General, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, DEA, USP 797/800, FDA 503A/B). Knowledge of clinical specifications, characteristics and ordering processes of a wide variety of soft prosthetics and supply items (e.g., catheters, colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy supply and associated products) that technicians procure to dispense to Veterans in the outpatient pharmacy setting. Skill in managing specialized programs related to inventory including, but not limited to, specialty medications and supplies, All Hazards Emergency Cache Program, recalls, reverse distribution and pharmaceutical waste. Preferred Experience: Previous experience with medication procurement procedures. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.