The Pharmacy Technician serves as a Procurement Technician providing all procurement support for the Pharmacy Service. He/she will be responsible for all ongoing inventories of drug products and pharmaceutical supplies and their procurement and proper storage. This position functions primarily in Pharmacy Service located at VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS), San Juan PR.

Duties

As a Procurement Pharmacy Technician, you will be overseeing all ongoing inventory management activities for the pharmacy inpatient care and outpatient areas. The employee will be considered the Automated Dispensing Machine (Pyxis) expert. She/he will provide support and communicate with management and other pharmacy procurement staff to promote and coordinate best procurement practice. Duties include, but not limited to: Creates purchase orders through Daily Supply Management Online Orders (SMO), Government Purchase Card, VISTA request, or Purchase Agent Order via Prime Vendor Internet Computer, IFCAP or credit card. Maintains accurate records of purchases, and control of purchase card. Conducts market research considering competitive pricing, quality, availability, and other issues to locate appropriate vendor to determine best value and relays findings to other procurement personnel. Keeps current on contracts, product availability, and prices to identify appropriate sources and ensures most cost-effective products are purchased according to Federal Supply Schedule. Determines correct method of payment from various sources available within Fiscal Service guidelines and requirements for accountability. Controls physical inventory at appropriate levels to assure on demand fills of prescription orders. Promptly replenishes shorted items within 24-48 hours. Regularly reports irregularities, inconsistencies, and issues related to procurement to the appropriate source for resolution. Manages allocated funds to minimize waste and promote most efficient use of resources. Coordinates and reports findings of all activities related to drug recalls to include directing other sites to implement procedures related to locate, sequester, and return or otherwise dispose of products according to manufacturer and/or PDA requirements. Quickly responds to stock outages by borrowing, processing special delivery orders, making local purchases, arranging inter-pharmacy transfers, use of pharmacist intervention, and product substitution, or other means to ensure patient care needs are met. Processes returns to manufacturer at least quarterly. Arranges for the destruction of non-returnable, unusable, and expired non-narcotic medications at least quarterly. Operates the Pyxis dispensing machine safely and efficiently. Performs necessary checklist to power up and down the machine. Reconciles purchase card charges within the established time limits. Resolves disputes of unknown or incorrect charges also within the established time limits. Receives and analyzes all "Drug Accountability Reports". Properly identifies discrepancies and corrects or elevates them to appropriate level. Performing other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:30am - 6:00pm; requires working on weekends, holidays, on call and may rotate different shifts. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.) English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education) Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at this grade level GS-7. NOTE: Copy of PTCB certification must be submitted for consideration. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Grade Determinations: GS-7 In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met to qualify for the GS-7 when determining the grade of candidate. GS-7 Pharmacy Technician Experience Requirement: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06) that fully meets the KSAs at that level. Candidates at this grade level (GS-6) may perform a full preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists; solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action; follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents; perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Follow policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts; input prescriptions and medication orders by knowing the computerized prescription process. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (*) Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Preferred Experience: Procurement, inventory control management, stock control activities, automated dispensing cabinets. Must be proficient in written and spoken Spanish. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G-28, Pharmacy Technician, GS-7 Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged period of time, lifting/carrying pharmaceutical supplies that can be of heavy weight, pushing and pulling large medication carts, and bending/stooping. Work is performed in the pharmacy inpatient care and outpatient areas, where there is potential for exposure to communicable diseases. Such areas are adequately heated and ventilated. The work is fast paced and at times stressful. Reasonable safety requirements are observed while working in this area.

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.

Contacts

• Address San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Laura Pareta
• Phone: 7864387591
• Email: [email protected]