Summary Procurement/inventory technicians perform duties independently under broad delegated authority which consists of significant scope, skill and complexity at the facility level located at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Pharmacy technicians provide financial status reports for review to ensure compliance to pharmacy budgetary goals and objectives. Responsibilities Analyzes data for performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports. Prepares for and maintain special accreditations, inspections and reviews (e.g., The Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, controlled substances inspect. Solves problems and implement corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area. Required to know budgetary and pharmacy procurement operating procedures such as, but not limited to, budget reconciliation, annual wall to wall inventory, sterile compounding and service contracts. Manages supply problems such as back orders, interchangeability of products during shortages or finding suitable replacement products. Monitors the quality of input and output of automated/perpetual medication inventory management systems. Writes policies and procedures for pharmaceutical procurement, inventory management and contracting processes. Develops contracting acquisition packages with all necessary required documents including, but not limited to, market research, independent Government cost estimate, statement of work/performance work statement, quotes, proof of funding, etc. Supports equipment review and service needs as well as equipment turn-in processes. Cost-effective turnover must be consistently identified and maintained. They are considered a subject matter expert of procurement sources (i.e., prime vendor, open market, government excess, posted stock etc.) VA manual and hospital procurement policies and procedures. Displaying a thorough understanding of policies, procedures, basic accounting and budgetary skills, the incumbent assures that pharmaceuticals and supplies are procured and maintained in the most cost-effective manner. Backup other procurement staff as needed to maintain accountability and oversight of daily purchases. Assists pharmacists in determining high priority or emergency requirements and initiates procurement activity to local wholesale sources. Assists in development and/or execution of procedures to procure "special order" products available only through manufacturer-created specialty programs. Supports Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) programs, prescriptions, and patient information for those medications and may assist as a purchasing agent for procuring REMS medications. Provides support of oversight of borrow/loan procedures and follows up on accounts. Maintains records for review and clears borrow/loan accounts at appropriate intervals. Utilizes an excellent working knowledge of all US Pharmacopoeia, The Joint Commission (TJC), and VA manual storage requirements to determine well- defined drug and supply storage locations with a special emphasis on security and special storage instructions. Designs/develops floor plans for stock location changes to maximize drug storage space. Ensures that all drug and supply storage conform to VA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Uploads and maintains proper documentation for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. Maintains proper Control Substance ordering System (CSOS) certification with the DEA to order narcotic medications through the prime vendor, if applicable. Conducts annual wall to wall inventory by taking a lead role in preparation, performance, reporting and analysis of periodic inventories of pharmaceutical and supply items as instructed by management with intent to maintain inventory turn performance that meets or exceeds VISN and National goals and expectations. Functions as resource person to all members of the pharmacy staff regarding product availability, backorders, drug shortages and suitable replacement products, inventory status, contracts, fiscal considerations, and control. Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am-4pm Occasional nights, weekends, holidays Recruitment Incentive (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. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61048-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-10 Experience and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory). In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09). -AND- In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-10 level, you must possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. - Ability to analyze data for performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports. - Ability to prepare for and maintain special accreditations, inspections and reviews (e.g., The Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, controlled substances inspections). - Ability to solve problems and implement corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area. - Expert knowledge of budgetary and pharmacy procurement operating procedures such as, but not limited to, budget reconciliation, annual wall to wall inventory, sterile compounding and service contracts. - Skill in managing supply problems such as back orders, interchangeability of products during shortages or finding suitable replacement products. - Skill in monitoring the quality of input and output of automated/perpetual medication inventory management systems. - Ability to write policies and procedures for pharmaceutical procurement, inventory management and contracting processes. - Ability to develop contracting acquisition packages with all necessary required documents including, but not limited to, market research, independent Government cost estimate, statement of work/performance work statement, quotes, proof of funding, etc. Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Contracting, Budgeting, "and/or" Procurement experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, pushing carts, lifting/carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching. 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 for 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
