The Outpatient Pharmacy Supply Program Technician functions primarily in the outpatient pharmacy setting and is responsible for highly complex procedures such as procurement and inventory management, drug accountability including managing, and reporting drug/supply usage data. This involves working with pharmacy management to ensure adequate stocking of medications to meet the needs of the operation.

Duties

Major Duties: Pharmacy Procurement Program: Abides by all applicable regulations and guidelines for federal purchasing, and maintains current training in this area. Assists providers and pharmacy staff with ordering appropriate supply products. The Supply Pharmacy Program Technician recommends alternative products/therapies when necessary. Assists veterans with questions regarding obtaining and using medical supply products. Provides counseling for problems with supply items; makes suggestions for different items if needed. Prepares orders for supplies for patients. Ensures that outpatient orders get ordered and mailed as efficiently as possible. Works with CMOP to coordinate efficient distribution. Participates in multiple hospital-wide committees as related to medical supply issues. Collaborates with other departments (Outpatient Pharmacy, SPD, Prosthetics, and Nursing) to troubleshoot issues with supplies and coordinate changes and additions. After appropriate approvals, coordinates with appropriate staff to add new medical supplies. Coordinates with pharmacy ADPAC and CAC staff to ensure that VISTA and CPRS are updated and accurate. Communicates changes to staff and veterans, and completes product conversions. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday; 7am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required ***A retention incentive has been authorized for highly qualified applicants.***

Requirements

Qualifications

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: 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. 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. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists." 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. 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). Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation 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 required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such 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. 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. 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. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations (GS-7) Experience. One year experience at or equivalent to the next lower level, (GS-6) and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, which include, but are not limited to; Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action; Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment; Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents; Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products; Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts; Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: 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: 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 Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Ken Johnson
• Phone: 612-467-2294
• Email: [email protected]