Summary The certified GS-8 Pharmacy Technician Procurement and Automation serves as both a pharmacy procurement specialist and automation program subject matter expert for the Eastern Colorado Health Care System. The incumbent is responsible for all prescription and nonprescription medications and supply purchasing and inventory in a highly complex area of Pharmacy Service at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. Responsibilities VA Total Rewards: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician Total Rewards: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf This position is located at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care | Veterans Affairs. Pharmacy technicians at this level serve as an ordering officer delegated by the national acquisition center contracting officer for the purpose of ordering against the national pharmacy prime vendor (PPV) contract and national blanket purchase agreements (BPA) for pharmacy at the Eastern Colorado Health Care System. The duties include but are not limited to the following: Serves as ordering officer delegated by the National Acquisition Center for purchasing pharmaceuticals and supplies through the Prime Vendor Program and other mandatory sources. Ensures compliance with federal contracts, Federal Supply Schedules, Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA), NAT/FSS guidelines, and all FAR/VA acquisition policies. Determines appropriate ordering intervals, stock levels, and cost-effective procurement strategies using usage trends, formulary changes, seasonal needs, budgetary constraints, and clinical practice shifts. Procures all classes of pharmaceuticals-including controlled substances, non-controlled medications, hazardous drugs, and specialty pharmaceuticals-within established VA policies. Serves as the automation specialist for all inpatient and outpatient automated dispensing equipment and pharmacy automation systems facility-wide. Provides daily leadership for automation workflows, including oversight of user access, item file maintenance, system configuration, and troubleshooting of equipment malfunctions. Ensures compliance with policies regarding automated dispensing data archiving, security, controlled substance automation, investigational drug handling, and formulary management. Analyzes automation performance data and independently identifies trends, inefficiencies, safety issues, and opportunities for process improvement. Coordinates the technical aspects of drug distribution to ensure workflows align with automation capabilities, maximizing efficiency and safety. Supports inpatient functions such as sterile and non-sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs where applicable), ward stock management, automated packaging, and controlled substance processing. Supports outpatient functions including prescription filling, automated dispensing system operation, window dispensing, phone triage, and mail-out processing. Maintains clean, safe, and organized work environments consistent with good manufacturing practices and VHA standards. Develops, delivers, and documents training and competency materials for procurement processes, automation systems, and associated regulatory requirements. Trains and orients pharmacy personnel, students, and residents in procurement, automation, and operational procedures. Serves as preceptor for pharmacy technician students and provides ongoing education to clinical and non-clinical staff on pharmacy systems and processes. Serves as a resource for troubleshooting automation or procurement issues and escalates concerns appropriately. Provides cross-coverage within all pharmacy operational areas as needed to maintain continuity of service. Incumbent must possess and maintains a current unrestricted state driver's license and meets facility requirements to operate a Government Vehicle if performing inspections or delivering medications to VA ECHCS clinics. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: Monday to Friday | 0800-1630 Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-59264-A 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. 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 1. United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 2. 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). 3. Certification. For positions above the full performance level (GS-06), 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 Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT. 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 DETERMINATION - GS-08 Experience. Candidates must possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) below. Certification. For positions above the full performance level (GS-06), the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): (a) 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.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section. (b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. (c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy Preferred Experience: Procurement, Automation, and Outpatient Experience as a Pharmacy Technician Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. 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. 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. 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.
