This position independently leads and is responsible for assisting in the oversight for all prescription and nonprescription medication and supply item purchasing and inventory management in a highly complex area of Pharmacy Service at Palo Alto Healthcare System.
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. 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, GS-09 In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must possess at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level (GS-08) listed below: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. 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) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (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. Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) specific to the Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory) role: 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, USP797/800, FDA503A/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: Expertise and proficiency in inventory management, purchasing, working with spreadsheets, as well as written and verbal communication skills are highly desired. Prior work experience in an inpatient pharmacy highly desired. 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-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional VA Palo Alto Health Care System has an immediate opening for a full-time Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory) position. This position requires independent technical judgement and expertise and ability to utilize data to make assessments and recommendations to the Procurement Pharmacist and Pharmacy Leadership Team. The primary responsibility of this position is to oversee and execute ordering and inventory management activities for the Palo Alto Inpatient and Outpatient pharmacies. The incumbent will also provide support to other procurement staff at all other VAPAHCS pharmacy locations with acquisition activities and procurement guidance as needed. Major duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to: The procurement technicians ensure adequate stock of medications and supplies to meet patient care needs. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Inventory Management Activities: ordering medications and supplies daily via the prime vendor on-line computer system; checking incoming stock against vendor's invoices (orders placed by other procurement technicians); uploading invoices into the drug accountability software; coordinating/resolving of out-of-stock situations; coordinating loaning/borrowing of pharmaceuticals; conducting an annual wall-to-wall inventory; processing outdated/unusable inventory for return or reverse distribution; and providing procurement information. Purchase Card Activities: ordering medication and supplies daily directly from vendors via an individual VA credit card; ensuring adequate funds available and purchases do not exceed defined credit card limit; ensuring all VA laws and regulations associated with the use of the credit card are followed; reconciling credit card purchases timely and accurately according to VA policy; and documenting all credit card purchases and receipts. Medication Stock and Storage: ensuring adequate (but not excessive) stock of medications and supplies for the pharmacy; rotating stock to utilize the shortest expiration date items first; communicating out of stock, back ordered, or difficult to procure products to pharmacy staff and management; addressing emergently needed medications/supplies issues; ensuring hazardous medications are received, handled, labeled and disposed of according to policy; coordinating medication recalls; and coordinating the disposal of outdated, deteriorated, and damaged medications via pharmaceutical waste or reverse distribution processes. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm 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. 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 #: 05872F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized