Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory)

Veterans Health Administration • Long Beach, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Long Beach VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory). The incumbent is responsible for ordering pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other supplies critical to pharmacy operations for the VALBHS. This position requires the acquisition and maintenance of a Government Purchase Card and a National Acquisition Center issued Ordering Officer Delegation for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies in good standing. Duties may include but are not limited to: Complies with all the acquisition regulations, both Federal, VA, and local. Creates purchase orders with Prime Vendor (e.g., through McKesson Connect), Government Purchase Card, and VISTA IFCAP requests for all pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other specialized medical devices handled by pharmacy that are either stocked or special ordered. Understands and executes orders to ensure shipping and receipt of products are completed timely (physically and electronically) according to established practices. Possesses organizational skills to ensure that ordering is completed in a timely and efficient manner. Manages inventory controls for all pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other supplies required by Pharmacy Service to facilitate inpatient and outpatient health system operations. Independently determines products and quantities to order to prevent disruptions to inpatient and outpatient operations. Maintains comprehensive knowledge of the inventory management operation of pharmacy automation equipment (e.g., ScriptPro Inventory Management System (SIMS), Omnicell Central Pharmacy Management (CPM)) to drive effective and economical inventory management of all pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other specialized medical devices provided by Pharmacy Service. Performs credit card reconciliations, certifies, and files invoices, and completes other procurement forms and documentation as necessary. Works with Pharmacy Staff to implement and carry out recall action plans. Ensures that all necessary documentation and other follow-up actions are completed as required.

Requirements

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• 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).
• Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.
• 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.
• Pharmacy technicians at this level serve as an ordering officer delegated by the national acquisition center contracting officer for the purpose of ordering against the national pharmacy prime vendor (PPV) contract and national blanket purchase agreements (BPA) for pharmacy.
• They are responsible for ordering medications and supplies from required sources and meeting contract compliance while maintaining multiple complex accounts with the PPV.
• They utilize the Government purchase card program for direct orders up to the micro purchase threshold per VA financial policy.
• Pharmacy technicians at this level are responsible for regulatory and formulary requirements to meet patient needs within budgetary limits.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a pharmacy technician with inventory management or procurement experience in pharmacy.

Responsibilities

• Conducts or ensures required market research to initiate the procurement action utilizing the business targeted by the socioeconomic goal categories.
• Creates purchase orders with Prime Vendor (e.g., through McKesson Connect), Government Purchase Card, and VISTA IFCAP requests for all pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other specialized medical devices handled by pharmacy that are either stocked or special ordered.
• Understands and executes orders to ensure shipping and receipt of products are completed timely (physically and electronically) according to established practices.
• Manages inventory controls for all pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other supplies required by Pharmacy Service to facilitate inpatient and outpatient health system operations.
• Independently determines products and quantities to order to prevent disruptions to inpatient and outpatient operations.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of the inventory management operation of pharmacy automation equipment (e.g., ScriptPro Inventory Management System (SIMS), Omnicell Central Pharmacy Management (CPM)) to drive effective and economical inventory management of all pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other specialized medical devices provided by Pharmacy Service.
• Performs credit card reconciliations, certifies, and files invoices, and completes other procurement forms and documentation as necessary.
• Works with Pharmacy Staff to implement and carry out recall action plans.
• Ensures that all necessary documentation and other follow-up actions are completed as required.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed