Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory)

Veterans Health Administration • Phoenix, AZ

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The certified GS-8 Procurement and Inventory Pharmacy Technician is responsible for prescription and non-prescription medication and supply purchasing and inventory in a highly complex area of Pharmacy Service at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. The role requires compliance with Veterans Health Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration, and other federal rules and regulations. The technician serves as an ordering officer for Pharmacy Service, delegated by the VA National Acquisition Center, and maintains required annual training. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; telework and virtual work are not available. The full-performance level is GS-08.

The technician helps determine ordering intervals and inventory levels in response to formulary changes, generic substitutions, contract changes, conversions, new drug indications, backorders, and seasonal variations. The role requires technical knowledge of regulatory and VA requirements for drug storage and for procurement, storage, distribution, and handling of hazardous and non-hazardous drug classes. The technician educates non-pharmacy personnel and patients about Pharmacy Service procedures, policies, and processes; maintains continuing education requirements; and assists with training, orientation, retraining, and training documentation for Pharmacy Service employees.

The position requires one year of experience equivalent to GS-07 and an active national pharmacy technician certification through PTCB (CPhT) or NHA (ExCPT), except where the stated VHA grandfathering provision applies. Duties also include applying pharmacy procurement, distribution, and storage requirements; supporting safe medication distribution; and assisting with cost-effective ordering based on financial conditions, drug-use patterns, seasonal variations, delivery needs, and urgency of medical need. The work involves prolonged standing or sitting, typing, walking within the medical center, lifting or carrying pharmaceutical supplies weighing 45 pounds or more, and pushing, bending, stooping, and stretching.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 level.
• For GS-07 and above, an active national certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT), unless qualifying under the stated VHA grandfathering provision.
• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient for sound independent work.
• Knowledge of computerized prescription processing and entering prescriptions and medication orders, or their electronic equivalent.
• Ability to resolve pharmacy and medication issues with healthcare team members, Veterans, and external customers.
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution.
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology, and policies in a specialized pharmacy area or section.
• Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized pharmacy area or section.
• Basic knowledge of pharmacy procurement, distribution, and storage requirements, including applicable OSHA, FDA, USP, and DEA requirements and regulations.
• Ability to assist in determining and modifying ordering intervals, inventory levels, and cost-effective quantities from required sources.
• Must pass required pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete required onboarding and application documentation and serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.
• Physical ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods, type, walk distances within the medical center, lift or carry pharmaceutical supplies weighing 45 pounds or more, and push, bend, stoop, and stretch.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Pharmacy Service ordering officer, delegated by the VA National Acquisition Center, and maintain annual training requirements.
• Assist in determining ordering intervals, inventory levels, and cost-effective order quantities in response to formulary and contract changes, generic substitutions, conversions, new indications, backorders, seasonal changes, financial conditions, drug-use patterns, delivery needs, and urgency of medical need.
• Apply VA and regulatory requirements for the procurement, storage, distribution, and handling of hazardous and non-hazardous medications.
• Educate non-pharmacy personnel and patients about Pharmacy Service procedures, policies, and processes.
• Maintain continuing education requirements applicable to the position, license, or certification.
• Assist with and help conduct employee training, orientation, and retraining on Pharmacy Service policies and procedures, and document the training.
• Support safe medication distribution and maintain pharmacy procurement, distribution, and storage practices that support a safe working environment.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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