Pharmacy Procurement Technician
What you'd do
This position has operational responsibility for Pharmacy purchase and inventory of all drugs, medical supplies, and operational supplies required in the provision of Pharmacy services to ensure that the highest quality products are acquired at the lowest price and that items are available when needed.
Major duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Manages the operational procurement and inventory of all drugs, medical supplies, and operational supplies required for Pharmacy services, ensuring high quality and cost-effective acquisition. Orders products based on national contract agreements or the most economical option available through the prime vendor; establishes alternative sources of supply when necessary. Maintains awareness of current clinical usage, formulary policies, and market conditions affecting supply and demand. Utilizes Mobile Manager® or similar technology to enhance efficiency and accuracy in ordering and inventory management. Inventories narcotics and other high-priority items frequently, adjusting minimum and maximum stock levels to maintain adequate stock and avoid overstocking; compiles and submits quarterly theoretical turns summary reports. Places purchase orders directly with the prime vendor using assigned account numbers and processes additional orders with government credit cards, ensuring compliance with VA regulations and proper reconciliation of receipts. Handles and processes narcotic orders according to DEA regulations (DEA Form 222), VHA directives, and departmental guidelines. Makes informed decisions on product substitutions or alternative procurement methods when items are unavailable, using vendor databases to assess costs, expected delivery dates, and updating backorder lists accordingly. Checks all incoming orders for accuracy and completeness, initiates rejections or adjustments as needed, and documents partial shipments and credits. Posts and records invoices for payment on 1358, reviews fiscal obligations, anticipates upcoming needs, and adjusts obligations in response to program or formulary changes. Arranges stock effectively for optimal productivity and maintains pharmacy automated dispensing equipment in cooperation with automation vendors; updates automation interfaces as needed. Ensures proper storage conditions for all products, removes and coordinates disposal of outdated inventory, and schedules third-party vendor assistance for destruction of expired drugs. Trains pharmacy staff in operation and maintenance of automated equipment, inventory policies, and urgent prescription procedures; generates, analyzes, and acts on automated dispensing reports to optimize stock levels. Assists in drug recalls by checking affected lots and promptly informing relevant personnel; prepares item descriptions for new drugs and updates drug prices and information in VistA; collaborates with CMOP for consistent patient delivery; serves as resource for pharmacy staff, assists with prosthetic supply orders for patients, and fills other pharmacy technician duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7am - 3:30pm with occasional weekends and holidays Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: None required. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, 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). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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 Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, 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. Preferred Experience: Two years of experience as a pharmacy technician in an outpatient hospital pharmacy setting. Two years experience in pharmacy supply or pharmacy procurement positions at a federal facility. Two years experience in the ordering controlled substances in a healthcare facility. 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: There are no physical requirements for this occupation per OCHCO Communications email to VA Handbook 5019, updated on 4/17/2026.
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