Qualifications

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
• 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) Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT
• OR (b) NHA as a 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: Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory)
• GS-0661-08 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: (a) PTCB as a CPhT
• OR (b) 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: (a) 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
• (b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures
• (c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy
• 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
• i Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• (A) 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
• (B) 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: Experience with VHA Pharmacy procurement and inventory processes
• Experience with pharmacy procurement and inventory processes Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 8
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-8. Physical Requirements: he work involves long periods of moving, standing and pushing carts about the work unit
• The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting
• The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern for staff and patients
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), and light lifting ( under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, and standing,