Summary Incumbent has operational responsibility for Pharmacy purchase and inventory of all drugs, medical supplies, and operational supplies required in the provision of Pharmacy services to ensure that the highest quality products are acquired at the lowest price and that items are available when needed. Responsibilities The incumbent works under the supervision of the Inventory Management Pharmacy Technician Supervisor. Duties will include: Orders products based on national contract agreements or most economical product available through the prime vendor; establishes alternative sources of supply when products are not available from the prime vendor; maintains an awareness of current clinical usage related to formulary policies and market conditions affecting supply and demand; operates a system based on minimum lag time and maximum efficiency. Uses the EOQ (Economic Order Quantity) principles to determine inventory turns and appropriate stock levels; assures stock is rotated to enhance medication usability and potency; utilizes Mobile Manager® or similar device to enhance efficiency and accuracy in ordering; inventories narcotics and other items requiring more frequent intervention to ensure adequate stock is available and overstocking is avoided by adjusting min and max stock levels accordingly; compiles and submits theoretical turns summary report each quarter to assess effectiveness of ordering process. Uses the assigned account number to place the majority of purchase orders directly to prime vendor and uses credit card to make purchases through other vendors; maintains ongoing record of credit card purchases; assures accuracy of receipts for receiving and reconciliation of credit card purchases; ensures all VA regulations and organizational guidelines are followed regarding the use of government credit card. Using the prime vendor database determines the cost differential to purchase from a different manufacturer, as well as the expected due-in date of the unavailable product at the prime vendor; updates back order list on appropriate website; assists pharmacists in determining high priority or emergency requirements and initiates procurement activity from alternative sources. Checks all incoming orders with appropriate order request to assure accuracy and completeness; initiates appropriate rejections and/or adjustment action and documents partial shipments, credits, etc. Posts and records invoices for payment on 1358 after matching bill with invoices. Estimates obligations anticipated to be incurred the next month by reviewing historical trends and projecting fiscal needs for new programs and/or national formulary changes; makes changes in obligation if it appears that the cost of authorizations to be issued will exceed the estimated obligation. Provides effective stock arrangement to ensure optimum productivity; assists in the maintenance of pharmacy automated dispensing equipment by ensuring that products used in the equipment are on hand and are placed in strategic locations. Updates the VistA automation interface whenever NDC changes are needed for a given medication. Ensures all products are stored under proper conditions; checks for outdates, removes outdates from inventory, stores such products until disposal away from working stock to avoid inadvertent dispensing or diversion; routinely schedules and coordinates with third-party vendor to process and destroy outdated products. Trains staff in the appropriate operation and maintenance of automated equipment (e.g. entering lot numbers for replenishment), and policies and procedures for requesting additional inventory (using the want book) and processing out-of-stock urgent prescriptions; generates automated reports from dispensing equipment to adjust stock levels; determines which drugs should be used in the automation; troubleshoots problems with the automation and calls vendor or places work orders as appropriate. Assists in effecting recalls of drugs, as required, by checking applicable lots and informing appropriate personnel. Prepares item description for new drugs and supplies added to the formulary and provides the information to the Pharmacy ADPAC for entry into the VISTA drug file; keeps drug prices up to date in VISTA. Works with Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) to ensure consistent and appropriate product delivery to patients. Functions as resource person to all members of the pharmacy staff regarding inventory status and control; provides orientation and training, as required, for staff members, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy aids, and pharmacy technician students. Assists patients with prosthetic supplies (e.g. ostomy products, catheters) by finding replacements for discontinued items and instructing the patient on the appropriate use of new prosthetic items; ensures the correct medical supplies are ordered by communicating effectively with the patient or patient's health care providers. Serves as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) when assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm w/ occasional weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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). 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: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED 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-8 Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory) Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and 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: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for the GS-08 assignments: 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. Basic 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. Ability to assist 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. Preferred Experience: ?One year of experience in pharmaceutical procurement or hospital pharmacy supply. 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-8. Physical Requirements: moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, standing (6 hr), repeated bending (2 hr), near vision correctable, ability to distinguish basic colors, mental and emotional stability, exposure to: constant noise, extensive keyboard/mouse usage, working closely with others, working alone. 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/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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 1193.01, 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.