Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO CURRENT PERMANENT JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER AND CBOC EMPLOYEES ONLY. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Medication Distribution System:

Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed with regard to drug, strength, quantity, or appropriate supply item.

Maintains highly sophisticated pharmacy equipment. This includes cleaning procedures and maintenance of ADM's and other counting machines.

Troubleshoots equipment and databases when needed.

Assists with automated or manual inventory processes that include but are not limited to inventory counts, medication ordering, stocking, checking for outdates, pulling outdates, pulling recalled medications, inspections or any other activity.

Accurately interprets EHRM patient medication profiles. Is able to confirm prescription information in the Pharmacy computer packages. Able to execute refills or other technician duties within the pharmacy software.

Pharmacy Phone System:

Capable of synthesizing patient information to identify basic therapeutic, distributive, or medication related problems.

Seeks opportunity to support pharmacy operations when phone volume low.

Communicates information accurately in the electronic health record or other formats.

Pharmacy Mail and Medication Management System:

Fills medication "to be mailed" in accordance with description provided in the medication distribution section.

Ensures prescription label matches mailing label and maintains accuracy in other software or paper systems.

Assists with other medication distribution activities as directed by pharmacist, supervisor or as delineated as part of the shift responsibility.

Assists in completing the required pharmacy reporting obligations as directed.

Maintains pharmacy security. This includes the physical security of the pharmacy and the security of electronic records.

Understands waste streams for returned medications and medications to be destroyed.

Procurement/Returns:

Prepares expired and overstock drugs and supplies for return or exchange with the manufacturer.

Ensures necessary paperwork according to federal and local rules and regulations is maintained.

Compares drug and supply costs from various manufacturers to ensure the most economical source is used.

Reviews all purchase requests to ensure that all procurement is consistent with federal and local rules, regulations, and policies.

Ensures that new and extended mandatory pharmaceutical and medical supply contracts are implemented upon receipt of the contract information from the National Acquisition Center.

Gathers information about new vendors from System for Award Management (SAM) and completes form to be sent to Logistics Service.

Assures that VA national procurement contracts are followed, coordinating vendor changes with other pharmacy staff.

Controlled Substances:

Maintains all certificates and trainings necessary for ordering of controlled substances.

Maintains advanced knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of Medical Center and Network policy and state and Federal regulations, which apply to these drugs.

Purchase Cardholder:

Reconciles purchase card charges within the established time limits. The standard for reconciliations is 75 percent of charges have been reconciled within 10 calendar days after the charge (payment) information is delivered locally to IFCAP, 95 percent of the payments are matched within 17 calendar days and 100 percent within 30 calendar days.

Makes individual purchases not exceeding the micro-purchase threshold established by the National Acquisition Center (NAC) / $15,000 unless specifically authorized to do so by the VISN HCA.

Training Responsibilities:

Assists in identifying and reporting developmental and training needs to ensure safety and quality control in the delivery of drug products.

Assists Outpatient pharmacy supervisor in assuring that all employees in the pharmacy area receive on-the-job training and are aware of policies and procedures, and re-train those employees exhibiting deficiencies.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 4:00pm; 8:00am - 4:30pm; 8:30am - 5:00pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 09902F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

(1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

OR

(2) 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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following:

GS-08 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Experience includes but not limited to: Reconciles purchase card charges within the established time limits; Maintains adequate drug and supply levels to ensure that the outpatient pharmacy sustains stock to function appropriately; Prepares expired and overstock drugs and supplies for return or exchange with the manufacturer; Compares drug and supply costs from various manufacturers to ensure the most economical source is used; Reviews all purchase requests to ensure that all procurement is consistent with federal and local rules, regulations, and policies; receives, audits, and reconciles government credit card statements and make appropriate adjustments independently; gathers information about new vendors from System for Award Management (SAM) and completes form to be sent to Logistics Service; Assists with the training, orientation, and re-training of employees on Pharmacy Service policies and procedures.

AND,

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): 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:

1. 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.

2. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.

3. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level have a higher level of responsibility for specialized areas of pharmacy and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:

Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory): For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level serve as an ordering officer delegated by the national acquisition center contracting officer for the purpose of ordering against the national pharmacy prime vendor (PPV) contract and national blanket purchase agreements (BPA) for pharmacy. They are responsible for ordering medications and supplies from required sources and meeting contract compliance while maintaining multiple complex accounts with the PPV. They utilize the Government purchase card program for direct orders up to the micro purchase threshold per VA financial policy. Pharmacy technicians at this level are responsible for regulatory and formulary requirements to meet patient needs within budgetary limits.

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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Employees are typically expected to work forty hours per week. This may include nights, weekends and/or holidays as assigned. May require pushing carts, lifting and carrying light loads (up to 50lbs.), including boxes, equipment and unit dose-cassettes; stooping, bending or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Incumbent must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• PTCB OR NHA CERTIFICATION
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• PTCB OR NHA CERTIFICATION
• Other (2)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Next steps