Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Pharmacy Service at the Phoenix VA Health Care System seeks a GS-08 Procurement and Inventory Pharmacy Technician to manage prescription and non-prescription medications, purchases, and inventory in a complex setting.

Compliance with VHA, DEA, FDA and federal regulations is required. Knowledge of pharmacy operations, inventory control, and regulatory requirements is essential.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required; non-citizens may be considered only per VA policy when qualified citizens are unavailable.
• Active national certification (PTCB or CPhT) required for higher grades.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience totaling 100% are qualifying for some grade levels.

Skills

Pharmacy operations

Inventory management

Regulatory compliance

Education

PTCB/CPhT certification (or grandfather provision)

Tools

ADE equipment

Job description

The certified GS-8 Procurement and Inventory Pharmacy Technician is responsible for all prescription and non‑prescription medications and supply purchasing and inventory in a highly complex area of Pharmacy Service at Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS). This responsibility mandates compliance with all Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Food and Drug Agency (FDA), and all federal rules and regulations.

Basic Requirements:

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. 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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education or Experience: None required. 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 (GS-07 and above), 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). 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). Grandfather Provision: A Pharmacy Technician employed in the VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/07/2023) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re‑entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory), GS-08: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) and demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) below.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
• Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
• Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.
• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmac.