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Pharmacy Procurement Technician

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Hampton, Virginia
Closing date
Oct 1, 2020
Duties

Summary

Pharmacy technicians function in various areas of the pharmacy, e.g. inpatient, outpatient pharmacy, narcotic vault, procurement, various storage areas, offices and patient care areas, under the supervision of the of the supervisor, depending upon the area of administrative assignment of the incumbent or a registered pharmacist in the absence of a pharmacy supervisor. Pharmacy technicians provide various technical support services within the pharmacy department.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Major duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

General:
  • Routinely performs inspections of assigned areas, checking for outdates, over or under stocked items, condition of products, maintaining all pharmacy areas and equipment in a clean, neat and organized fashion.
  • Actively participate in stock management activities including but not limited to inventories, stock rotation, proper storage, maintenance of stock storage, maintenance of stock storage areas, processing of return goods, etc.
  • Maintains quality control records for extemporaneously compounded products and pre-pack items.
  • Correctly processes and labels drugs, pre-pack items, bulk supplies, etc. Properly operates all equipment in the assigned area(s) in an efficient manner.
  • Functions as first-line telephone contact for patients, providers and/or the public. Addresses telephone requests in a timely and courteous fashion, processing, for example, refill request, etc. Forwards calls beyond the technician's scope to a pharmacist or supervisor.
Outpatient Pharmacy:
  • Properly processes, fills and package outpatient prescriptions for window and mail efficiently to achieve a thirty-minute window waiting time and two-day mail turn around time.
  • Fills window and mail prescriptions accurately.
  • Distributes medications at the outpatient window after using two methods of verifying identity of the patient/caregiver, providing special assistance to those with increased need.
  • Correctly processes short stocked, partial supplies, CWT items, two-day old window prescriptions and patient returns within stipulated time frames.
Control Substances:
  • Regularly complies with agency, federal or other pertinent regulations, policies and procedures as related to controlled substances.
  • Participates in regularly scheduled controlled substance inventories and inspections as necessary to achieve a high degree of accuracy and distribution of controlled substances. Maintains security, proper packaging and storage of all C-II agents prior to receipt by FedEx, USPS, or patient representative.
Procurement and Stock Maintenance:
  • Has operational responsibility for all ongoing inventories of drug products and pharmaceutical supplies and their procurement. Cost-effective turnover must be consistently identified and maintained. As a result, he/she must possess a thorough knowledge and understanding of procurement sources (i.e., prime vendor, government excess, posted stock, military depot, and local), VA manual and associate circular procedures, and hospital procurement policies. Displaying a thorough understanding of policies and procedures, the incumbent utilizes basic accounting and budgetary skills to assure pharmaceuticals and supplies are maintained in the most cost-effective manner. In addition, the incumbent must possess a thorough understanding of the multidisciplinary functions in the A&MMS (Acquisition & Materiel Management Service)-Fiscal-Pharmacy cycle to identify and eliminate bottlenecks relating to the receipt of purchases and maintaining the pharmacy budget.
  • Maintains accountability of daily purchases and coordinates receipt, controls budget ledger, assures consistent delivery schedules are employed and handled in a manner mutually beneficial to A&MMS and Pharmacy Service, and appropriately disperses stock into designated areas. He/she must be familiar with military depot purchasing, catalog utilization, updated bulletin applicability, and prime vendor. Utilizing and excellent working knowledge of all US Pharmacopoeia, JCAHO, and VA manual storage requirements, the incumbent determines well-defined storage locations and ensures storage conforms to VA and OSHA standards.
  • Maintains an elaborate system of retrieval. Files must be routinely purged to avoid accumulation of obsolete material. The incumbent services as the first line between company representatives and pharmacy managers. As a result, the managers rely heavily on the incumbent's ability interpret, screen, and transmit accounting and availability data.
  • Utilizes the prime vendor to order FSS items. This involves 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. If an item is unavailable, decides whether or not to order an equivalent generic substitute, different strength, both size, or to wait and reorder the next day. 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.


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45am-4:30pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process


Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, .

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience.

Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above.

English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

a. Definitions

(1) Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice.
(2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means.
(3) Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.
(4) Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-7

(a) Experience. One-year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
*1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities.
2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes.
3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff
4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment.
5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process.
6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures.
7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures.
8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems.

(c) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment.

Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a pharmacist, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a Pharmacy Service or for a specific unit or section.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G28.

Physical Requirements: Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include, but are not limited to: significant computer work/typing, prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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, résumé, 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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you are required to provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • vha-10-2850c
  • PTCB CERTIFICATION
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


Resume Reminder: Your resume must include the following for each job listed:
1) Job title and grade level/salary. In order to show that you meet time-in-grade, you must document grades you have held and how long you have held them;
2) Duties (you must include enough detailed information to support your specialized experience);
3) Month and year start/end dates (e.g. 04/2007 to 04/2008);
4) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week);
5) Supervisor's contact information and whether or not the supervisor can be contacted.
6) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • vha-10-2850c
  • PTCB CERTIFICATION
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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