The GS 9 Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory) is responsible for oversight of medication and supply purchasing and inventory in a highly complex area of Pharmacy Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The incumbent serves as the Pharmacy ADPAC and has primary responsibility for activities in the VISTA drug file in collaboration with the pharmacy informatics team and the position serves as the contracting representative for the service line.

Duties

Major Duties: Assists the Pharmacy Informatics Supervisor with installation of VISTA/CPRS patches and associated file management to ensure set-up maximizes patient safety and efficiency of operations in collaboration with the pharmacy informatics team. Responsible for pharmacy electronic new user request entries, including assigning menus, keys, and mail groups. Utilizes extensive knowledge to analyze pharmacy processes and ensure that software package design complements patient safety, drug interaction reporting, and drug file accuracy. Identifies and initiates the implementation of changes to improve performance or correct problems. Manages the reverse distribution program for the pharmacy service, including tracking of reimbursements. Ensures expired medications are removed from stock and processes them for safe removal, according to VHA Directives and standard operating procedures. Serve as an approving official for pharmacy service, delegated by the VA National Acquisition Center (NAC) while maintaining annual training requirements. Assists procurement technician staff with ordering requirements of pharmaceuticals, specialty, and supply items through pharmacy prime vendors multi complex accounts or other mandatory sources. Responsible for adherence to federal contracts and compliance with federal regulations regarding open market, ensuring inventory control through perpetual evaluation. Applies safe handling when working with hazardous materials and can reference the Material Safety Data sheets. Works and communicates effectively with others while remaining courteous, tactful, and understanding when interacting with others, even in potentially difficult/volatile situations. Effectively organizes workload, solves problems, and achieves established goals. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Administrative Days Telework: Ad-Hoc ONLY Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000

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. Certification: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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) 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: Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory) Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08). 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.) Training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Evaluating, analyzing and coordinating workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Knowledge of pharmacy procurement, distribution and storage requirements to maintain a safe working environment. This includes not limited to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and DEA requirements and regulations. Assisting in determining and modifying as necessary: ordering intervals, inventory levels and cost-effective ordering quantities from required sources based on current financial conditions in pharmacy, seasonal variations in drug usage, changing patterns in medical practice, delivery time requirements and urgency of medical need. AND In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-09 level, you must possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. 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. ou may 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Karin Wehmeyer
• Phone: 3193380581
• Email: [email protected]