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Summary The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below The Chief of Pharmacy functions administratively under the Associate Medical Center Director with planning, directing, and coordinating comprehensive pharmaceutical care services, so that all resources and program activities are available to successfully achieve the service and medical center mission. Responsibilities 1. Clinical Practice: a. Assesses inpatient and outpatient pharmacy programs from a cost and outcome perspective. b. Maintains an effective quality assurance/improvement program for all inpatient and outpatient pharmacy programs. c. Functions as the subject matter expert advising pharmacy and hospital staff on pharmaceutical care policies in the medical center. d. Assesses clinical and operational pharmacy programs from a cost and patient outcome perspective. e. Develops, implements, and evaluates programs which facilitate clinical activities including: 1) Drug Use Evaluation, Quality Management and Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee decisions. 2) Evidence based evaluation of therapeutic alternatives utilizing the most efficacious, least toxic, and most economic pharmacologic treatment modalities. 3) Coordination of patient information from all healthcare providers. f. Provides the framework, philosophy and environment for effective pharmacy staff participation in the following clinical activities: 1) Evaluates orders for appropriateness and drug interactions, allergies, and adverse reactions. 2) Intervenes with physicians and other staff members for rational, safe, and effective drug therapy and documents interventions. 3) Knows and follows formulary guidelines and ensures therapeutic and cost effective alternatives to non-formulary drugs. 4) Monitors drug therapy and provides information to other health professionals. 5) Accountable for medication reconciliation according to procedure. 6) Provides age-appropriate care to adult and/or geriatric patients. 7) Provides appropriate patient consultation for all new prescriptions. Inquires about side effects and patient questions for refill prescriptions. Evaluates patient's ability to understand instructions. Provides oral and written instructions to promote patient medication adherenc. 8) Performs drug specific pharmacokinetics. 9) Renews and orders medications per Scope of Practice with yearly peer review. 10) Critically reviews non-formulary drug requests for appropriateness, safety, and cost-effectiveness and may approve according to criteria for use. 11) Conducts prospective/retrospective drug use evaluations of high-use, high cost, or high-risk drugs as requested. 12) Converts patients to appropriate medications where indicated. Changes the patient's drug therapy, order laboratory tests, and performs the necessary follow up to ensure medication conversions are safe and effective. 13) Assists with manufacturer medication backorders and recalls including communication with providers and recommendations for alternatives. 2. Administrative: a. Responsible for the overall operation and scope of pharmacy activities performed in inpatient and outpatient pharmacy programs in Iron Mountain and 8 surrounding Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). b. Responsible for the supervision of all inpatient and outpatient pharmacy personnel in Iron Mountain and 8 surrounding Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). c. Evaluates performance of inpatient and outpatient programs to ensure the quality of services provided are of the highest standards. d. Assesses workload and adjusts staffing to meet the needs of inpatient and outpatient services. Provides justification for additional resources as needed. e. Supervises, documents performance, and counsels technicians and pharmacists. Completes annual performance appraisals, competency assessments, award recommendations, etc. within dictated time frames. f. Leads the pharmacy management team in: 1) Interviews, evaluates, and selects new employees according to current federal laws and VA policies regarding EEO and veterans preference. 2) Formulates and implements effective and efficient policies and procedures. g. Develops and maintains a cooperative working relationship with other departments such that the overall activities and scope of pharmacy services rendered are carried out efficiently. h. Consults with the applicable medical chiefs and/or the Associate Medical Center Director regarding clinical and/or administrative problems identified in inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services. i. Responsible for developing and maintaining competencies and required training for pharmacy staff in these areas. j. Actively participates in committees, process action teams, key function teams, etc. on a local VISN and national level to include: VISN 12 Chiefs, VISN 12 Operations, and as delegated by the Associate Director. Other duties assigned VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Ad-hoc as determined per agency and supervisor Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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). 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 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. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement Qualifications 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: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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: (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.) 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. 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. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION. GS-15 Grade Requirements: Experience: In addition to the GS-14 requirements, you must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. The Pharmacy Service Chief functions include, but are not limited to: being responsible for all aspects of pharmacy services at a medical facility by maintaining effective interdepartmental relationships demonstrating active problem resolution skills and close cooperation with other programs and services in accomplishing the medical facility mission and goals. Working with budget management, determining resource needs, allocating resources, ensuring proper utilization in productivity, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the operation. Formulating objectives and priorities and implementing plans consistent with the long term interest of the organization, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks. Ensuring compliance with all safety, regulatory, and accrediting body requirements. Delegating authority to several supervisory and program levels to meet the goals of the service and staff. Ensuring orientation and training programs are established to ensure staff development, oversees academic affiliations, and participates in medical facility, VISN, National, other external governmental agencies, and professional associations. You must fully demonstrate the following GS-14 KSAs: 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 and diverse people or programs. 5. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the missions and goals of the organization. 6. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff AND At the GS-15 level, Chiefs of Pharmacy must meet the following: Individuals are assigned as Chief of Pharmacy at Complexity Levels 2 or 3 and must meet the criteria noted in 2a and b below. a. Must meet all of the following requirements: (1) Manages a complex medical center based pharmacy program that is defined as having multiple practice settings (e.g. hospital ambulatory care, long-term care, behavior 9 health care) that require Joint Commission review as separate standards. (2) In addition to the medical center pharmacy, has responsibility for pharmacy services at one or more of the following: CBOCs, Rural Health Program, domiciliary, or provides dispensing and/or clinical services to State Veterans Home. (3) Presence of advanced clinical pharmacy programs that include pharmacist(s) that have approved scopes of practice with prescriptive privileges. (4) Pharmacy provides clinical pharmacist services to three (3) or more specialty areas such as, but not limited to, hemodialysis, oncology, operating room or an emergency department. b. In addition to the requirements listed in 2a above, must meet at least two of the following: (1) An ASHP Accredited Pharmacy Residency Program. (2) A Research Program that is accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP). (3) Actively involved in committees or advisory/work groups at the VISN and/or National level. (4) An ongoing pharmacy student rotation in both the intermediate and advanced practice experience settings. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work is performed within the pharmacy and the medical center, and at times may require travel. The incumbent observes safety precautions while working with a variety of equipment. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions (e.g., risk exposure to caustic agents, flammable liquids when unpacking supplies or cleaning equipment). The incumbent works with drugs and chemicals in which care must be taken in the event accidental contact is made to the skin, eyes and lungs. Incumbent follows guidelines for preparation, handling and administration of hazardous drugs and disposal of all pharmaceutical waste in compliance with medical center policy. 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 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.