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Summary The Associate Service Chief - Pharmacy Operations is a licensed pharmacist who assists the Chief, Pharmacy Service in the performance their duties and responsibilities, sharing responsibility, and taking over duties in the absence of the Chief, Pharmacy Service. The incumbent assists in planning, directing, and coordinating the overall Pharmacy Service to provide comprehensive, high quality pharmaceutical care services to all patients served by the Bay Pines Health Care System. Responsibilities The Associate Service Chief - Pharmacy Operations assists the Chief, Pharmacy Service in managing the overall pharmacy operation, supervising all pharmacy staff members, residents, students, and trainees, and ensuring the effective utilization of all resources. The Chief, Pharmacy Service may delegate responsibility for managing the day-to-day pharmacy operation or the direct supervision of any specific section, program, or activity to the Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations. The incumbent will represent Pharmacy Service in the absence of the Chief in healthcare system and community activities. The Associate Service Chief - Pharmacy Operations will assist in development, and overall operating plans for pharmaceutical services. Incumbent will represent Pharmacy Service 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. Duties may include but are not limited to: Responsible for fostering acceptance and exercise of sound pharmacy management concepts, principles, practices, and innovations. The incumbent is responsible for providing appropriate work environment for employees to foster performance improvement. Responsible developing, implementing, and assessing progressive and comprehensive pharmacy operations. Responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, assessing work flow for continuous improvement within the inpatient and outpatient pharmacies. Responsible for exploring innovative processes to increase productive, patient satisfaction and employee satisfaction. Supervisory Duties (25%) Maintains effective personnel management program within pharmacy including E.E.O. awareness, training opportunities, tuition support, and individual development plans. The incumbent reviews evaluations of personnel made by subordinate supervisors. Provides attention to employees' complaints/grievances with the goal of resolving them at the lowest possible level. Promotes cultural diversity to establish and environment that works for all employees and strives to achieve and maintain a culturally diverse work force, which is comparable to the civilian workforce. Responsible for assuring all aspects of drug control, drug accountability and drug security are maximized and are in accordance with Bay Pines Healthcare System and Pharmacy Service policies and procedures, and other applicable VA, FDA and Federal regulations. The incumbent is responsible for oversight of all pharmacy budget activities. Establishes access limits for pharmacy staff to confident and sensitive patient information in VistA. Develops and maintains effective pharmacy operations within the inpatient and outpatient pharmacies that are synergistic with other healthcare system programs and are designed to maximize drug distribution processes, inventory management and patient care. Develops and implements strategic plan for the expansion and/or reengineering of pharmacy operations. Provides the Chief, Pharmacy Service with counsel on developing of pharmacy operations, workflow, and automation. Leadership Interviews employee candidates, recommends appointments, advancements or promotions to the Professional Standards Board, and administrative disciplinary action 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. Directs affiliated training programs for pharmacy students, residents, clerkships, interns and technicians. Provides drug education that meets the needs of patients and the Medical Staff. Work Schedule: Will be required to work variable tours of duty including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD20246F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. 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 dentification 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). 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: 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: (1) 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: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) (2) 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) Licensure-Documentation Submitted: 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. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. Licensed Pharmacists 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). Grandfathering Provision. All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (3) If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations for Associate Service Chief - GS-0660-14 (Above full performance): Experience: In addition to the Basic Requirements, Pharmacists assigned to the GS-14 grade must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13): Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Associate Service Chief. 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. Responsible for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Makes selections, assigns personnel, and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): Pharmacist assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs. The KSAs shown below apply to all assignments at this grade level, and the specific KSA designated by an asterisk (*) applies to this assignment. 1. Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals. 2. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues. 3. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs. 4. Skill in managing multiple people or programs. 5. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization. *6. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of previous GS-14 Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations experience at Level 1A VA facility. Supervisory oversight of Inpatient and Outpatient Operations including significant knowledge of General Pharmacy Requirements, Controlled Substance requirements, Compounded Sterile Preparations Requirements, Procurement & Contracts, Automation, Process Improvement and Staff Engagement. Completion of PGY2 Health-Systems Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) Residency. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0660-LicensedPharmacist.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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/. Additional Information 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 is a Non-bargaining unit position. 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.