The certified pharmacy technician procurement/inventory at the GS-9 level will serve as lead and is responsible for assisting in the oversight for all prescription and nonprescription medications and supply purchasing and inventory in a highly complex area of Pharmacy Service at the Milwaukee VAMC.

Duties

Pharmaceutical and supply order initiation. Proper receipt of shipments. Compliance with product and storage requirements. The incumbent has independent purchase responsibilities. Provides guidance and oversight to lower-level procurement staff and assisting the pharmacy management team in providing optimal pharmaceutical care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision and goals of the Pharmacy and the Medical Center. Continuously analyzes and reassess priorities to ensure workload demands are accomplished in the most effective, efficient, and economic manner. Effectively evaluates pharmacy activities to assist pharmacy managers in obtaining short- and long-range goals and objectives. Assists pharmacy manager in identifying areas of effort duplication and developing solutions to streamline processes, reduce waste, save costs, and improve patient care. Reports potential and/or actual medication errors. Encourages pharmacy technicians to report actual and/or potential medication errors or adverse events. Assists in quality improvement by participating in service process assessments and action teams and by continually seeking to improve the service. Knowledgeable in and ensures other procurement staff follow all department, pharmacy service, station level, VISN, National and VHA, DEA, policies, and procedures. Demonstrates efforts to improve patient satisfaction, lower cost, and improve quality and timeliness. Works constructively as a team member, assisting co-workers in tasks that support staff, visitors, and other customers in achieving service toward facility and network goals. Maintains continuous oversight on the security of pharmacy inventory and storage areas and reports to management any inconsistencies or concerns. Attends all procurement and pharmacy meetings as required. Serves as lead ordering officer for pharmacy service. Trains new procurement staff on departments standard operating procedures and provides oversight to ensure competencies are met. Initiates ordering requirements. Provides oversight in determining ordering intervals and stock levels appropriate to meet changes in formulary, brand to AB rated generic drugs, contract changes, conversions, new drug indications including backorders and seasonal changes. Provides guidance on all types of pharmaceuticals including controlled and non-controlled drugs. Participates in maintaining all records of pharmacy inventory for DSCSA accountability for auditing purposes. Provides oversight in the removal of expired medications from stock, isolates, and processes them for safe removal according to VHA Directives and standard operating procedures. Processes outdated, unusable, and excess inventory for return to respective manufacturers for replacement of usable formulary items or credit. Maintains advanced knowledge of principles, policies and state and federal laws and regulations related to controlled substances. Possesses advanced technical knowledge of all aspects of drug characteristics and nomenclature for procurement and stock maintenance. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution and supply issues. Must maintain training requirements, national pharmacy technician certification and meet annual competencies required for the position. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: Certification: must hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) OR National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Grandfathering Provision: 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: GS-9 Experience. Must possess one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to at least the next lower level (GS-8) of: Ordering against the national pharmacy prime vendor (PPV) contract and national blanket purchase agreements (BPA) for pharmacy. Ordering medications and supplies from required sources and meeting contract compliance while maintaining multiple complex accounts with the PPV. Being responsible for regulatory and formulary requirements to meet patient needs within budgetary limits. In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 9. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Clement J Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center 5000 West National Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53295 US
• Name: Alicia Prindle
• Phone: 414-384-2000 X42030
• Email: [email protected]