This position functions primarily in the pharmacy area of the VA New York Harbor Health Care System Pharmacy Service. The incumbent will assist the Outpatient, Inpatient supervisor, and the Chief of Pharmacy in managing inventory control, ensuring security of all medications and investigation of discrepancies in procurement of medication and supplies. This position requires significant independent decision making with minimal supervision. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. 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 the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-7 Experience. One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities *1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff. 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a pharmacist, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a Pharmacy Service or for a specific unit or section. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The incumbent will also review or prepare documents and reports regarding financial status, procurement issues, or inventory; verify or abstract information contained in various documents and reports; maintain various procurement files; and resolve discrepancies in shipments, payments, or other documentation. The incumbent's work is complex not only in execution as it relates to providing service to the patient and the professional staff but also in problem-solving and in providing timely, accurate budget projections based on the incumbent's experience, interpretation of available data, and judgment. As required and assigned, the technician is expected to accomplish all duties normally performed by general pharmacy technicians (GS-6 and lower) related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription set ups, controlled substances distribution, IV and hazardous drug compounding, and unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, and distribution. Required Knowledge: 1. The incumbent must possess necessary interpersonal skills to effectively function with members of the pharmacy service team. 2. Technical knowledge of medication and prosthetic-device brand names, generic names, general special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms applicable systems of weights and measures, and medical terminology in order to interpret physicians' orders and verify that correct item/device is prepared and dispensed. 3. Working knowledge of drug use, dosage and prosthetics forms/variations, to be able to screen orders for appropriateness and assist the pharmacist in solving potential problems. 4. Working knowledge of hospital computer system is required. Procurement Functions: 1.Maintains accountability of daily purchases and coordinates receipt, controls budget ledger, assures consistent delivery schedules are employed and handled in a manner mutually beneficial to Logistics and Pharmacy Service, and appropriately disperses stock into designated storage areas. He/she must be familiar with catalog utilization, updated bulletin applicability, and prime vendor. 2. Able to evaluate, analyze workflow and coordinate work activities. 3. Keeps current on contracts, product availability, and prices to identify appropriate sources and ensures most cost-effective products are purchased through the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS). Utilizes the prime vendor to order FSS items, involving direct contact with the prime vendor via computer modem and placement and receipt of drug order after an assessment of the various contracts available and selection of the most cost-effective item. Reviews drug orders on computer screen/printed copy, verifying amount to be ordered and transmitting the order to the prime vendor. Using the prime vendor database, determines the cost differential to purchase from a different manufacturer, as well as the expected due in date of the unavailable product at the prime vendor. Utilizes knowledge of available contract information and patent right limitations to switch to alternate generic products when available and has working knowledge of drug products. Government Purchase Card: As a purchase card holder, the incumbent is responsible for: 1. Attending appropriate acquisition training and signing VA Form 0242, Government- wide Purchase Card Certification, to become the contracting officer of record for any purchase made with the card. NOTE: Cardholders shall not make individual purchases exceeding mandated limits unless applicable warranting has been issued by the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA). 2. Complying with all acquisition regulations, both Federal, VA, and local (listed in CS ROM training) to include 8A, small business, Javis Wagner O'Day Act, and mandatory sources. Medication Management System Functions: 1. Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. Controlled Substance Management Functions: 1. Reviews, compiles and analyzes usage, returned to stock and receiving reports to ensure adequate inventory needs daily. 2. Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends (such as waste, fraud, diversion or abuse). Communicates potential problems to supervisor or the Assistant or Pharmacy Chief. Work Schedule: Manhattan Facility Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm. Work Schedule: Brooklyn Facility Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
