Summary This position functions as the lead position in Pharmacy Service in support of procurement and inventory management of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and equipment at Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center - Topeka, Kansas. This position requires extensive working knowledge of Acquisition and Materiel Management (A&MM) policies and regulations. The position requires specialized knowledge of pharmacy operations, care and storage of specialized pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical equipment. Responsibilities VAEKHCS is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Major Duties & Responsibilities: a. Responsible for procurement and ongoing inventory management of drug products and medical supplies in the department. Monitors utilization rates to ensure cost-effective turnover of inventories on hand. Orders from various procurement sources, including prime vendor and direct contract and non- contract sources. Ensures mandatory sources are used when appropriate. Ensures most cost-effective sources and items are selected when ordering. Complies with all IMPAC card rules and regulations when using the government purchase card. Reconciles purchases made with the IMPAC card in a timely manner. Follows up with vendors if any discrepancies or problems are encountered with an order. b. Determines, establishes, and modifies, as necessary, appropriate ordering intervals, inventory levels, most efficient/effective ordering quantities, based on the fiscal status of the pharmaceutical budget, seasonal variations in drug usage, changing patterns of medical practice, delivery time requirements, urgency of medical need, and alternative sources of availability. c. Maintains department's fund control records, verifies information, and reconciles all problems. Resolves budgetary discrepancies that arise among Fiscal, Acquisition and Materiel Management, and Pharmacy due to changes that occur during procurement, obligation, and delivery process. Compiles and analyzes data from a variety of sources (i.e. inventories, procurement records, financial expenditures, etc.) to assess and project the importance and impact of changing trends of drug utilization on drug inventory control and budget utilization. d. Responsible for securing and coordinating the processing of outdated, returned, unusable, and excess inventory for credit through the reverse distributor or processing as pharmaceutical waste. Ensures the handling and processing of general pharmaceutical waste and hazardous pharmaceutical waste is done in accordance with VHA and EPA regulations. e. Responsible for conducting the biennial physical inventory of all controlled substances and ensures records are maintained in accordance with VHA and DEA regulations. Responsible for coordinating the destruction of controlled substances with the reverse distributor in accordance with VHA and DEA regulations. f. Assists the Automation Pharmacy Technician and/or Pharmacy Program Analyst with Logistics the identification and verification of all equipment assigned to Pharmacy Service. Works with Engineering Service and vendors the maintenance and repair of pharmacy equipment. g. Responsible for coordinating and processing all manufacturer and FDA recalls of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Ensures recalled items are properly handled and processed for return to the appropriate source. Coordinates with the professional pharmacy staff identifying and notifying patients affected by Class I recalls. h. Maintains a borrow/loan ledger that is reconciled every month to document borrow/loan transactions with other hospitals and medical facilities. All loans must be recovered and borrowed items repaid monthly. i. Assists the Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations, in monitoring and tracking utilization of high-cost non-controlled substance medications. Reports inpatient and outpatient high usage areas and usage trends. Assists in developing strategies to achieve maximal economy by helping to identify alternative sources, alternative medications of the same therapeutic class, bulk preparations vs unit-of use preparations, etc. j. Provides resource support to all members of the pharmacy staff regarding drug storage requirements, procurement, and inventory management. Provides orientation and training on these areas to all members of the pharmacy staff. k. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, if required. l. As deemed necessary by the Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday day tour - off tours, weekends, and holidays as needed by the department. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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: None required. 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). 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 Determination for GS-08: 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: PTCB as a CPhT or NHA as a ExCPT Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: 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. 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. 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-08. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (6 hours per day); kneeling (2 hours per day); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing aid permitted. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.