Pharmacy Technician-Procurement/Inventory - Fargo, United States - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Description

Summary The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health.

As an employee, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

The incumbent is responsible for inventory management and procurement of drug products and pharmaceutical supplies for the Fargo VAHCS.


Responsibilities Pharmacy Technician:
Pharmacy Technicians at this level serve as the lead ordering officer for pharmacy service, providing guidance to lower-level procurement ordering officers. These individuals have extensive knowledge of VA policy concerning drug procurement, security and compliance with ordering officer requirements and regulatory areas.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:
Serve as the lead ordering officer for Pharmacy Service, providing guidance to other procurement ordering officers. Assist with drug recalls. Maintain all records of pharmacy inventory for drug accountability, DSCSA.

Responsible for all ongoing inventories of drug products and pharmaceutical supplies and their procurement, maintaining total inventory exceeding $600,000 at any time.

Utilizes basic accounting and budgetary skills to assure pharmaceuticals and supplies are maintained in the most cost-effective manner. Maintains accountability of daily purchases and coordinates receipt, assures consistent delivery schedules are employed.

Knowledgeable with prime vendor (PV) catalog utilization and possess a working knowledge of all US Pharmacopeia, The Joint Commission, and VA manual storage requirements.

Determines well-defined storage locations and ensures storage conforms to established guidelines. Utilizes the prime vendor to order pharmaceutical and supply items. Reviews drug orders on computer screen/hard copy, verifying amount to order and transmitting the order to the prime vendor. Manage over $9,000,000 annually by finding best-cost alternatives to fulfill medication and supply needs.

Comply with all the acquisition regulations, both Federal, VA and local to include 8A, small business, Javis Wagner O-Day Act, and mandatory sources.

Reconciles purchase care charges within the established time limits. Inputs order into IFCAP Purchase Card Menu, prior to purchase or within one workday of purchase. Resolves disputes of unknown or incorrect charges also within the established time limits. Incumbent reconciles weekly B09 reports with Fiscal service and resolves discrepancies in a timely manner. Provides approving official with all pertinent purchase card documents for approval. Coordinates and works with vendors on orders that have been erroneously charged or delivered. establishes, and modifies as necessary, appropriate ordering intervals, inventory levels, most efficient/effective ordering quantities. Subject matter expert to all members of the pharmacy staff regarding inventory status and control. Assists pharmacists in acquiring high priority or emergency items and initiates procurement activity to local sources if necessary. Maintains all records to ensure accountability and (borrow/loans records) repayment. Ensures all stocked pharmacy items are bar code labeled in accordance with VA's Generic Inventory Package (GIP) program requirements. Determines, establishes, and modifies as necessary, appropriate ordering intervals, inventory levels, most efficient/effective ordering quantities.

Enters data into the bar-code reader by scanning item labels and downloads the data to a PC into the associated Pharmacy inventory.

Establishes inventory stock levels (PAR) and reorder points to maintain adequate inventory to meet patient care needs. Request non-special order purchases such as pharmacy mailing supplies (various size boxes and containers, refrigerated mailing bags, ice packs, etc.), medical supplies, and some non

• PV drugs.

Verifies items received against orders placed, unpacks and stores supplies as appropriate, and takes appropriate actions to resolve and document any discrepancies, shortages, or damage. Returns expired drugs, stock overages, and short dated items for credit on a weekly basis. Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form. Coordinates and executes annual wall-to-wall inventory with data capture. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes as required. Prepares a weekly High-Cost Drug Report. Enters information on every drug ordered every day into VistA drug accountability system. Generates a daily report that the supervisor certifies on-line each day. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.

Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.

Monitors inventory needs in patient care areas. Provides training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained.


Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday


Duty hours 7:30am-4:00pm Telework:

Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position


Functional Statement #:
Pharmacy Technician-Procurement/Inventory #000000

Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required. 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/29/2024.


Pharmacy Technician 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


Education or Experience:
(1) None required. (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level.


Certification:
For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
(1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).


Grandfathering Provision:

Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.


Foreign Education:
To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.


Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service


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).


References:
VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28

Grade Requirements Pharmacy Technician:
GS-08 Experience. Candidates demonstrate the KSAs below. Certification.

For positions above the full performance level, 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 all of the following KSAs:

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.).

Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.


AND Pharmacy Technician-Inventory:
GS-09 Experience. One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level. Certification.

For positions above the full performance level, 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 all of the following KSAs:

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.

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, USP 797/800, FDA 503A/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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 8.


Physical Requirements:

The work requires physical exertion such as reaching, standing, walking short and long distance, and climbing to obtain product from moderately high shelving.

Occasionally may need to lift up to 40 pounds. The majority of work requires extended periods of standing with short periods of sitting to complete tasks. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical in a pharmacy setting.

Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns, goggles, gloves, and shoe covers and hair covers to minimize risks.

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.


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:
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:
Additional Information 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 , 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.