Pharmacy Technician (Procurement/Inventory)

Summary

The Procurement Technician provides support for pharmacy operations, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, budgetary processes, controlled substances management, training coordination, personnel and space resource management, and is the primary point of contact for all pharmacy service policies and procedures.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent provides operational guidance to the administrative lead pharmacy technician. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Pharmacy and must have an extensive knowledge of pharmacy policies, complex purchasing procedures, the use of specialized software and equipment, as well as excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Budget and Procurement 1) Monitor and perform labor mapping for the pharmacy department. 2) Writes or collaborates to write policies and procedures for pharmaceutical procurement, inventory management, and contracting processes. 3) Develops contracting acquisition packages with all necessary required documents including, but not limited to: market research, independent Government cost estimate, statement of work, quotes, proof of funding, etc. 4) Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for emergency fill prescriptions, Illinois State Veterans Home (Quincy, IL), and Prime Vendor. 5) Prepare procurement packages, perform cost analysis, write sole source justifications, communicate with vendors/contractors. 6) Conduct periodic surveys of equipment and property utilization and recommend actions for optimizing economical and efficient use. 7) Alternate approving official for the Government Purchase Card Program, ensure compliance with VA financial policies and program standards. 8) Monitor purchase card holder activities, control point funds, direct purchase, Medical Surgical Prime Vendor purchases, SEPG requests, and equipment work orders for compliance. 9) Serves as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS), and Purchase Card Reviewer. 10) Performs monthly security reviews and accompanying report, controlled substance balance adjustments in the pharmacy vault required by national PM. 11) Monitors compliance with national drug recalls, medication use evaluation tracker (MUET), risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS). 12) Monitors department level operating budget including B09 reconciliation, inventory management and annual inventory, contract and service agreement spending and purchase card utilization. 13) Serves as backup to the Pharmacy Emergency Cache Manager and responsible for all maintenance, inspections, and compliance with VHA Directive 1047 (All Hazards Emergency Cache Directive). 14) Leads strategic planning for administrative operations in conjunction with pharmacy management. Assists in preparation of department annual review. Administrative Management 1) Provide operational guidance to the lead administrative pharmacy technician and resolve minor problems. 2) Represent Chief and Associate Chiefs in their absence or conflict in schedule, in matters not of a clinical nature and acts on various committees to ensure timely and orderly flow of pharmacy activities. 3) Responsible for physical and electronic security of the pharmacy. Coordinates with police for physical security reviews, monthly assessment of code green system and alarms. Serves as PIV sponsor and backup medical records liaison. 4) Collate personnel and procedure informational updates for distribution in the monthly Pharmacy Infusion Newsletter. 5) Serve as backup for Pharmacy ADPAC and timekeeper. 6) Maintain audit trail to ensure timely completion of actions for new hires and ongoing folder compliance with HR standards. 7) Prepare and submit pharmacist Scope of Practice for approval and maintain system of records to ensure all clinical pertinence reviews are submitted in a timely manner. Customer Service 1) Treat patients, team members, other facility employees and visitors with dignity and respect. 2) Respond to the needs of the Veteran and staff in a courteous and timely manner. 3) Demonstrate appropriate and proactive interpersonal skills to achieve the goals of the service. 4) Demonstrate an ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality of care. 5) Maintains practice consistent with the medical center's mission and vision goals as well as the Pharmacy's professional code of ethics. 6) Pharmacy service point of contact for Patient Advocate Tracking System notification and customer service issues reported to the director's office. 7) Coordinate resolution of CPAC inquiries and copay reset requests. 8) Serve as service line point of contact for Care In The Community (CITC). 9) Coordinate resolution of local, VISN, or national action required items. 10) Service line point of contact for resolving EHR consults and scheduling procedures. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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 and evaluation

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.

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 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 09/08/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13051369. 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.

Required documents

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Resume 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 DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License **Highly Recommended** Write to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document - KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement. Resume/CV exceeding two-pages PCS Orders Proof of Marriage Status Resume SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: FY 2026 VHA SHORTAGE OCCUPATIONS APPROVED FOR WAIVER OF VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Pharmacy Technician, 0661

Additional information

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) consists of a comprehensive Tertiary Care Level I VA Health Care System; eleven VA Clinics and two Homeless Veterans Outreach Centers and has an affiliate agreement with the top ranked University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. ICVAHCS is home to the Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), one of the largest research departments in the VA. CADRE is an energetic and upbeat organization with 18 core investigators, 29 affiliate or associate investigators, 3 Career Development Awardees, 5 VA Quality Scholars, over 50 research personnel, and over 40 funded projects. https://www.va.gov/iowa-city-health-care/about-us/ The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.