Pharmacy Technician (Procurement and Inventory)

Quick Facts

• Role: Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00am–3:30pm

• Telework: Not available

• Virtual: Not a virtual position

Description

Lead pharmacy procurement and inventory oversight for prescription and nonprescription medications and supplies. Ensure compliance with VA, DEA, and FDA requirements, including purchase card procedures and federal contract rules. Maintain security and accuracy of inventory, manage ordering and stock levels, and support quality improvement, training, and medication error reporting.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and reassess priorities to complete workload efficiently and economically

• Evaluate pharmacy activities to support short- and long-range goals

• Streamline processes to reduce waste, save costs, and improve patient care

• Report potential and/or actual medication errors; encourage reporting of medication errors and adverse events

• Participate in quality improvement efforts and service process assessments

• Ensure procurement staff follow applicable department, station-level, VISN, national, VHA, and DEA policies/procedures

• Provide continuous oversight of pharmacy inventory and storage security and report inconsistencies

• Serve as the lead ordering officer for pharmacy service (delegated by the VA National Acquisition Center)

• Train new procurement staff on standard operating procedures and oversee competency, retraining as needed

• Initiate ordering requirements and guide ordering officers for pharmaceuticals and supply items through prime vendors and multi-complex accounts

• Ensure adherence to federal contracts and compliance with federal regulations for open market purchasing; maintain inventory control via perpetual evaluation

• Set ordering intervals and stock levels based on formulary changes, brand-to-AB generic updates, contract conversions, backorders, and seasonal changes

• Provide guidance for controlled and non-controlled pharmaceuticals within VA ordering guidelines and policies

• Obtain required certification to order narcotic medications through pharmacy prime vendor (if required)

• Make purchases using NAT, FSS, BPA, and open market options while following the contracting hierarchy

• Use government-issued credit cards for micro-purchases within limits, maintaining proper documentation and timely reconciliation

• Upload and maintain DSCSA documentation per FDA requirements and maintain DSCSA inventory records for auditing

• Apply advanced knowledge of VA and regulatory requirements for storage, procurement, distribution, and handling of hazardous/non-hazardous drug classes

• Oversee removal of expired medications, isolate them, and process for safe disposal per VHA directives and SOPs

• Process outdated/unusable/excess inventory for manufacturer returns, replacements, and credits; maintain internal manufacturer-based tracking with 3-year record retention

• Attend required procurement and pharmacy meetings

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Background/security investigation required

• Complete pre-employment onboarding (I-9) and pass pre-employment physical evaluation

• Seasonal influenza vaccination required

• Males born after 12/31/1959: Selective Service registration required

• 1–2 year trial period required; continued employment depends on certification in writing

• Active national certification: PTCB (CPhT) or NHA (ExCPT)

• GS-09: 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level

Benefits

Federal benefits package for eligible employees; eligibility depends on the position type.