Licensed Pharmacist(Associate Service Chief) - Operations

Summary

Responsible for all operational aspects of pharmacy services at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) by maintaining effective interdepartmental relationships, demonstrating active problem resolution skills and close cooperation with other programs and services in accomplishing the FHCC mission and goals.

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Duties

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FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF PRACTICE

The Associate Chief of Pharmacy is a licensed pharmacist who administratively serves as co-manager of the Pharmacy Department with the Chief of Pharmacy in the performance of all duties and responsibilities relating to the operation of the Pharmacy Department, with the exclusion of clinical pharmacy services and the student and residency programs. The incumbent participates in planning, directing, and coordinating the overall responsibilities of Pharmacy Department to provide comprehensive, high quality pharmaceutical care services to all patients served by the FHCC. The Associate Chief of Pharmacy manages the overall pharmacy operations, the supervision of all pharmacy staff members outside of the clinical division and ensuring the effective utilization of all resources. The incumbent will represent Pharmacy Department in healthcare system and community activities. Incumbent will represent Pharmacy Department on a variety of committees, boards, and task forces involving general administration, manpower, space, equipment, cost avoidance/savings, and resource utilization at the local, VISN, and National level. Analyzes impact of committee actions and recommendations and formulates action plans for implementation for top management.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Responsible for the provision of pharmaceutical care and services provided by the healthcare system. Assures all legal requirements for state, federal, VA, and DoW are continually met within written guidelines and sound pharmaceutical judgment.
• Maintains effective personnel management program within pharmacy including E.E.O. awareness, training opportunities, tuition support, and individual development plans. The incumbent supervises, and reviews evaluations of personnel made by subordinate supervisors. Provides attention to address employee complaints/grievances, with the goal of resolving them at the lowest possible level. Promotes cultural diversity to establish an environment that works for all employees.
• Responsible for assuring all aspects of drug control, drug accountability, and drug security are maximized and are in accordance with FHCC and Pharmacy Department policies and procedures, and other applicable VA, DoW, FDA, and Federal regulations. Represents FHCC pharmacy as the primary contact for VA and PBM program offices. The incumbent is responsible for oversight of all pharmacy
  budget activities. Establishes access limits for pharmacy staff to confidential and sensitive patient information in the Federal EHR and legacy equivalents.

LEADERSHIP

• Has direct supervisory responsibility for the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor, Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor, Pharmacy Procurement Supervisor, Controlled Substance Pharmacy Program Manager, Medication Safety Pharmacy Program Manager, Pharmacy Automation Technicians, and the Pharmacy Informatics Section including the Pharmacy Informatics Solutions Expert/Ticket Manager.
• Facilitates Human Resource-related personnel management activities, such as hiring, promotion, and disciplinary actions, as required. Collaborates with Human Resource Management Service in order to maintain a select staff and effectively fulfill the needs of pharmacy.
• Responsible for on-going review and evaluation of inpatient and outpatient pharmacy activities which include the intravenous admixture program, unit dose medication management system, processing of outpatient prescriptions, drug medication counseling, and CMOP support while maintaining timeliness, accuracy and innovative computerization/automation to support these programs.

EDUCATION:

Identifies continuing education needs. Assures pharmacy employees are properly trained and maintains records of all such trainings. Assures

that new employees are properly oriented and instructed to their work area(s), including computer security, fire/safety, and equipment operation. Participates in self-development activities to maintain and increase professional competence, including regulations, pharmacology, therapeutics and age-related treatment issues. Provides drug education that meets the needs of patients and the medical staff.

VA Careers - Pharmacy :

Work Schedule : 0700-1530

Telework : AD-HOC

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 09641F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Requirements

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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.
• 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 ( 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.
• 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).
• 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

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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Education: Graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io, or through their Web site at: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
  • -OR-
  • Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate is able to provide proof of achieving the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC) Certification, which includes passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination(FPGEE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT). (DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED)
• Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. A pharmacist who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16.

Grade Determinations:

Specialized Experience, GS-14: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, you must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13. This experience may include, but not be limited to: Responsible for coordinating multiple programs in pharmacy service in a medical facility. Serves as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and in compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies. Has extensive responsibility for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Makes selections, assigns personnel, and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the specialized experience described above, you must be able to demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
• Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
• Skill in managing multiple and diverse people or programs.
• Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.

Preferred Experience: PGY-2 Health Systems Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency; Management experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS14.

Physical Requirements: There may be some walking, standing, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items.

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: 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:

Additional information

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.