Pharmacy Technician (Inventory-Procurement)

Summary

This position is located in the West Haven Outpatient Pharmacy Service. Pharmacy technicians prepare medications by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing or compounding oral and intravenous medications. The pharmacy technician may also prepare medications for distribution to inpatient wards and clinics and outpatients for pickup and mailing. They will work in collaboration with other pharmacy technicians and respond to requests of pharmacists and other pharmacy supervisory staff.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/15/2024 to 06/05/2024

• Salary

$80,818 - $105,060 per year

This position is covered under a special salary rate.

• Pay scale & grade

GS 10

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• West Haven, CT 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-Ad-Hoc as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0661 Pharmacy Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTD-12414093-24-HV

• Control number

791308400

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This job opportunity announcement is open to current and permanent Federal employees of the VA Connecticut facilities ONLY. If you are not a current and permanent employee of the VACT facilities you will not qualify for the position. ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF STAFFING SHORTAGES: This position is being filled using the hard to fill position memo dated 9/27/2023 which waives Veterans Preference for hard to fill Hybrid vacancies.

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Duties

VA Careers

• Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Pharmacy Technician

• Inventory/Procurement GS-10

Procurement/inventory technicians perform duties independently under broad delegated authority which consists of significant scope, skill and complexity at the facility level. They provide oversight of the pharmacy service fund control point activity, budget expenditures and all procurement activity to ensure full accountability and reconciliation per VHA financial policy. They collect, analyze and prepare data to complete monthly budget reports on current and past spending patterns. Pharmacy technicians provide financial status reports for review to ensure compliance to pharmacy budgetary goals and objectives. They participate in forecasting the budget for the next fiscal year, function as contracting officer representatives and ensure all VA policies, regulations and payments are interpreted, applied and completed accurately and timely. Pharmacy technicians develop standard operating procedures, training programs and material for orientation, educational needs and regulatory requirements within the pharmacy and the facility. They investigate a variety of unusual supply problems, including specialty medication purchases, backorders and questions from pharmacy or physician stakeholders.

Duties include but are not limited to the following description:

• Serves as lead ordering office for pharmacy service for respective area while serving as subject matter expert of procurement sources (i.e., prime vendor, open market, government excess, posted stock, direct from manufacturer/pharmaceutical representative etc.) and procurement policies and procedures.

• Point of contact for pharmacy service serving as the subject matter expert managing the budget process and pharmacy's fund control point. Posting all obligations, credits, transfers, and closes out an obligation at the end of month/quarter and the fiscal year without deficit spending. Resolves discrepancies with fiscal service.

• Manages and provides oversight for all 1358 activity. Reconciles the financial reports, the weekly pharmacy prime vendor line-item report (B09) to source documents, uploads and enters daily activity entry into the monthly obligation as assigned by fiscal.

• Provides oversight in managing all inventory to ensure proper inventory levels are maintained. 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.

• Manages reverse distribution and the oversight of processing outdated unusable, and excess inventory for return to respective manufacturers for replacement of usable formulary items or credit. This is accomplished on a regular, scheduled basis, may involve numerous different manufacturers, and requires follow-up review to assure receipt of merchandise, credits, etc.

• The incumbent has the ability to assess needs and utilizes an extensive knowledge of Pharmacy operations, policies, and procedures to provide training and orient new employees and other staff to procurement.

• Maintains all required records including but not limited to proper documentation for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements and Control Substance ordering System (CSOS) certification with the DEA.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Subject to change based on medical center needs.

Telework: Ad-Hoc Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: F06765

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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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.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• 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.

• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)

• 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).

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 (Inventory-Procurement) , GS-10

Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience at or equivalent to the lower grade level.

Certification: 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:

• 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:

• Previous VA pharmacy procurement/inventory management experience.

• Strong customer service experience including problem solving, multitasking, organizational knowledge and excellent communication skills.

• Controlled Substance Handling and accountability.

• Familiarity with electronic records management.

References: VA Handbook 5005/159 Part II Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard

Physical Requirements: Principal duties of this position require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing prescriptions, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), including boxes, equipment, medical supplies, stock boxes etc.; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Ability to operate automation. Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively. An ability to perform tasks.

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.

ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF STAFFING SHORTAGES: This position is being filled using the hard to fill position memo dated 9/27/2023 which waives Veterans Preference for hard to fill Hybrid vacancies. Veterans are still encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration.

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.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.