Pharmacy Technician (Procurement / Inventory)

The Pharmacy Technician - Procurement / Inventory incumbent has operational responsibility for pharmacy purchase and inventory of all drugs, medical supplies, and operational supplies required in the provision of pharmacy services to ensure the highest quality products are acquired at the lowest price and that pharmacy items are available when needed.

Duties and responsibilities of this position include :

• Order products based on national contract agreements or most economical product available through the prime vendor.
• Establish alternative sources of supply when products are not available from the prime vendor.
• Maintain an awareness of current clinical usage related to formulary policies and market conditions affecting supply and demand.
• Operate a system based on minimum lag time and maximum efficiency.
• Use EOQ (Economic Order Quantity) principles to determine inventory turns and appropriate stock levels.
• Assure stock is rotated to enhance medication usability and potency.
• Utilize Mobile Manager or similar device to enhance efficiency and accuracy in ordering.
• Inventory narcotics and other items requiring more frequent intervention to ensure adequate stock is available and overstocking is avoided by adjusting min and max stock levels accordingly.
• Compile and submit theoretical turns summary report each quarter to assess effectiveness of ordering process.
• Use the assigned account number to place most purchase orders directly to the prime vendor and use credit card to make purchases through other vendors.
• Maintain ongoing record of credit card purchases.
• Assure accuracy of receipts for receiving and reconciliation of credit card purchases.
• Ensure all VA regulations and organizational guidelines are followed regarding the use of government credit card.
• When ordering and receiving narcotic orders, ensure all records are handled and processed according to DEA regulations (DEA form 222), VHA directives, and departmental guidelines.
• Decide to order an equivalent generic substitute, different strength, bottle size, or wait and reorder the next day if regular items are unavailable.
• Use the prime vendor database to determine 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.
• Estimate obligations anticipated to be incurred the next month by reviewing historical trends and projecting fiscal needs for new programs and / or national formulary changes.
• Provide effective stock arrangement to ensure optimum productivity.
• Update the VistA automation interface whenever NDC changes are needed for a given medication.
• Check for outdates, remove outdates from inventory, and store products away from working stock to avoid inadvertent dispensing or diversion.
• Routinely schedule and coordinate with third-party vendor to process and destroy outdated products.
• Train staff in the appropriate operation and maintenance of automated equipment (e.g. entering lot numbers for replenishment), policies and procedures for requesting additional inventory (using the want book), and how to process out-of-stock urgent prescriptions.
• Assist in effecting recalls of drugs, as required, by checking applicable lots and informing appropriate personnel.
• Prepare item description for new drugs and supplies added to the formulary and provide the information to the Pharmacy ADPAC for entry into the VISTA drug file.
• Keep drug prices up to date in VISTA.
• Work with Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) to ensure consistent and appropriate product delivery to patients.
• Provide orientation and training, as required, for staff members, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy aids, and pharmacy technician students.
• Ensure inventory received from the prime vendor is properly downloaded and verified in the VistA Drug Accountability package in a timely manner.

Pharmacy Technician : vacareers.va.gov / wp-content / uploads / sites / 5 / Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule : Mon - Fri, 7 : 00am to 3 : 30pm.

Recruitment / Relocation Incentive : Not Authorized.

Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work or military service experience.

Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.

Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).

Telework : Not Available.

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized.