Summary The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for providing procurement/inventory support to the outpatient /inpatient Pharmacy Service at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System in Nashville, TN. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to the following: Serve as ordering officer for pharmacy service, delegated by the VA National Acquisition Center (NAC) while maintaining annual training requirements. Initiates pharmaceuticals, specialty, and supply items ordering requirements through pharmacy prime vendors multi complex accounts or other mandatory sources. Responsible for federal contracts adherence and compliance with federal regulations regarding open market, ensuring inventory control through perpetual evaluation. Assists in determining ordering intervals and stock levels appropriate to meet changes in formulary, brand to AB rated generic drugs, contract changes, conversions, new drug indications including backorders and seasonal changes. Procures all types of pharmaceuticals including controlled and non controlled drugs within established VA ordering guidelines, policies, and procedures within inventory management specialized area with the understanding of proper budget utilization. Purchases using National contracts (NAT), Federal supply schedules (FSS), Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) and open market etc. to ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and policy, understanding the contracting hierarchy of all purchases. Incumbent will download invoices daily as part of the drug accountability process or other inventory management system. Maintains Pharmacy fund control records, verifies information, reconciles problems, questions, or discrepancies in this area with the Pharmacy Service Budget Analyst. Uses budgetary information to monitor cash flow and adjust inventory levels and procurement activities to the extent possible to stay within allocated financial resources while maintaining medication inventories sufficient to sustain all areas of patient care. Independently resolves budgetary discrepancies that arise among Fiscal, Logistics, and Pharmacy services due to changes that occur during the procurement, obligation, and delivery process. Compiles data from a variety of sources (e.g., inventories, procurement records, financial expenditure information, professional medical and pharmaceutical representatives) and communicates this information along with relevant control recommendations and actions to management. Communicates directly with the manufacturer, prime vendor, or both in maintaining sufficient supplies to meet the medical center needs for drugs that are in short supply and uses this information to coordinate patient care activities with drug availability and delivery schedules. Work Schedule: 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, occasional adjustments to the tour for different times or days throughout the year. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70367-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required 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. 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 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. 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. Must hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), OR (2) National Health career 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). Grade Determinations for the GS-08: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). And demonstrate the KSA's listed below. (A) 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. (B) 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. (C) 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.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section. (D) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. (E) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. References: VA Handbook 5005/159, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion including walking, bending, prolonged standing, stooping, lifting and carrying packages weighing up to 40 pounds. Dexterity is required for the operation of Pharmacy equipment. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information 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.