Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory)
About This Position
Procurement/Inventory at this grade level is nationally certified by PTCB (as CPhT) or NHA (as ExCPT) with advanced skills providing administrative, clerical, and clinical support to provide timely and quality pharmaceutical services at VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. Incumbent serves as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day operation of clinical pharmacy programs.
Qualifications
To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education or Experience: None required. 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 (GS-07 and above): 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). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
Grandfather Provision. A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Pharmacy Technician, 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). 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), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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.) 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. Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Technician-Inventory Specialist must have experience in file management and automated inventory management systems: familiarity with purchasing contracts, GEMS polices/hazardous materials.
The individual is responsible for all prescription and non-prescription medications/supply purchasing and inventory control for the pharmacy services at VASNHS. This responsibility mandates compliance with all VHA and federal rules and regulations regarding contract compliance, purchase card procedures, reconciliation requirements, control point rules, controlled substance purchasing, purchasing documentation maintenance, and general inventory control processes. Incumbent ensures compliance with established purchasing and inventory procedures and maintains effective internal control over the physical product flow and accounting of assigned pharmacy inventory.
Duties consist of pharmaceutical and supply order initiation, proper receipt of shipments, compliance with product storage requirements, inventory control through par level and inventory turn analysis, compliance with fund control point rules and budgetary constraints, purchasing coordination with facility pharmacoeconomic team, liaison with industry representatives and managerial staff, management of the hazardous pharmaceutical program and the medication disposition program. Incumbent also functions as a pharmacy technician to assist in providing optimal pharmaceutical care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision and goals of the pharmacy service and the medical center. Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G28 (November 7, 2023) Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.
Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute
Major Duties
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties includes but are not limited to: - Serve as ordering officer for pharmacy service, delegated by the VA National Acquisition Center while maintaining annual training requirements. - Purchases pharmaceuticals and supplies using National contracts, Federal supply schedules, Blanket Purchase Agreement, and open market appropriately to ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and contracting policies. - Assists in determining ordering intervals and stock levels to meet changes in formulary, brand to AB rated generic drugs, contract changes, conversions, new drug indications including backorders and seasonal changes. - Utilizes Government purchase card program for direct orders up to the micro purchase threshold per VA financial policy. Reconciles all credit card purchases in a timely manner. - Procures, receives, stocks, maintains inventory, rotates stock to minimize expiration and under/overstock, performs necessary returns and destruction of items as assigned. - Reviews inventory in all storage/dispensing areas and automations prior to placing orders and ensures all purchased products are received and accounted for in appropriate pharmacy software packages. - Utilizes inventory management system to ensure sufficient stock of medications and supply are available to meet patient care needs. - Assists in maintaining inventory turns to ensure effective inventory and budget management. - Maintains purchasing documents including but not limited to daily purchase activity, invoices, drug accountability, credit memos, control point management and budget ledger. - Assists in maintaining loan and borrow procedures from local facilities on an emergency basis. Ensures timely and appropriate product reconciliation with borrowing organizations. - Investigates and resolves shipping and receiving errors and delays from vendors/suppliers in compliance with fiscal policies; reports and resolves discrepancies and reconciles orders to meet timeliness requirements. - Ensures all applicable USP 795/797/800, FDA, DEA, OIG, TJC, other state/federal, VHA, VISN, and Medical Center requirements are followed. - Ensures pharmacy inventory is stored in an organized and appropriate manner with accurate shelf-life labeling and in accordance with product specific storage requirements. - Assists with pharmacy drug recall, destruction, return and credit procedures. - Assists with annual/biennial inventory of non-controlled/controlled medications. - Serves as a technical advisor, support personnel and trainer to other pharmacy and medical center personnel as needed for procurement/inventory related issues. - Assists in writing, updating, and implementing facility policies and procedures pertaining to pharmacy procurement and inventory.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (Incumbent may work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays and all rotating shifts as priorities demonstrate a need.) Functional Statement #: PD05038F Remote Job: No Telework Eligible: No Travel Required: Not required 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.
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).
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/.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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.
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.
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.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/07/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12928857. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.
You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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. Examples of SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, include: Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.