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Summary The Facility Program Manager (Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC) position is in the Pharmacy Department at the VA Maine Healthcare System, located at the Togus ME location. This position is Full Time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities The Pharmacist (Program Manager, Informatics/ADPAC) position is a multifunctional position with an emphasis on informatics operations. Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as a resource person in the management and development of multiple hardware and software tools critical to pharmacy service operations. Provides optimal pharmaceutical care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision and goals of the VA Maine Health Care System. Coordinates with Pharmacy to support pharmacy initiatives in pharmaceutical care and proper documentation of these activities. Works with other Healthcare System services in their efforts to develop and maintain decision supported medication ordering pathways. Identifies and investigates problems relating to the electronic health record and initiates corrective actions or procedures. Functions as an automation specialist for all pharmacy equipment used to package, dispense, and store pharmaceuticals. Assists pharmacy management in the assessment of existing pharmacy automation. Ensure that a contingency plan is defined in the event of an equipment, power or process failure and is established in each pharmacy service. Coordinates with inpatient and outpatient supervisors, as well as pharmacy technicians, to support continuing operation of pharmacy automation. Identifies and investigates problems relating to pharmacy automation and initiates corrective action or procedures. Possess a wide range of knowledge of parenteral and oral forms of medication and their uses, interaction or incompatibilities with other drugs, dosage forms, recommended dosages, and basic pharmacology. Troubleshoots user problems to OIT and Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) as appropriate. Gathers and interprets data about Pharmacy Service work process and suitable process redesign of management information systems to capture data about these processes. Maintains pharmacy computer databases (i.e. National Drug File, local drug file, users, adverse reactions/allergies, orderable item file, IV additive and solutions files and pharmacy ordering enhancements). Reviews all changes and updates to all pharmacy related software. Performs Fileman, SQL and other relevant searches as requested by the Pharmacy Management team, or their delegates. If assigned as a government purchase card approving official, the Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC will ensure compliance with all VHA Handbook 1730.1 requirements related to the use of the government purchase card, retention, and applicable timeframes. Encouraged to participate in professional society activities. Maintain current knowledge in the fields of pharmacy informatics and pharmacy automation through attendance at the appropriate continuing education meetings/lectures/etc. Work safely in performing all assigned tasks, being mindful to follow applicable safety rules and regulations. Participates in educational programs which train and support pharmacy students, residents and staff. Assists pharmacy and other Healthcare System staff in obtaining data for use in developing medication use or disease state evaluations. Instructs new Pharmacy Service employees in the use of core applications, database software and hardware. Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Functional Statement #: F08355 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws Notifications: This position is in an AFGE Bargaining Unit. This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is on a special salary rate. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. 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 trial 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. May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. 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). License: 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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: GS 13 Experience: Must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-12. Experience includes but is not limited to: Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice; Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff; Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security; Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Manages all aspects of a distinct program to include policy development, quality resources and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize cost effectiveness (budget) and patient outcomes. Coordinates a single program area of a complex pharmacy operation, or multiple program areas within a facility to develop, organize, manage, and control complex pharmacy programs. Develops, organizes, coordinates and manages single or multiple program areas within the medical facility; this may include a single program area at multiple facilities. The Program Manager title is reserved for those individuals who have one or more of the following: supervisory responsibilities for various sections within Pharmacy Service; a complex program requiring coordination of multiple locations such as medical center care facilities, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), rural health, telemedicine, etc; specialized areas of a complex nature such as nuclear pharmacy, quality assurance, pharmacy informatics, clinical applications coordinator, Home Based Primary Care, pharmacoeconomist or liaison pharmacist duties requiring the coordination of processes with other medical facilities or VISNs. The candidate must demonstrate the experience above as well as the following KSAs: 1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. 2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. 3. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. 4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. 5. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work requires prolonged periods of time sitting and performing data entry as well as regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lb., and bending/stooping. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes incumbent to communicable diseases and hazardous chemicals common in a health care environment. Such areas are adequately heated, and ventilated, and normal safety precautions and PPE are required. Some work is performed in a setting away from the pharmacy where the environment cannot be controlled. Work Environment: Is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes incumbent to communicable diseases, biohazards, hazardous chemicals and hazardous medications common in a healthcare environment. Such exposure will be mitigated in accordance with local policies and operating procedures as per USP 800 standards, OSHA guidance and local risk assessment practices. Standard safety precautions and PPE are required and specified per local policies. Some work is performed in a setting away from the pharmacy where the environment cannot be controlled. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 Receiving Service Credit or 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.