"Alerted.org

Summary The Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Manager co-leads the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). ASP is a coordinated program that promotes and ensures the effective, safe and cost-effective use of antimicrobials, improves patient outcomes, reduces microbial resistance, and decreases the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. The ASP Manager serves as the site's Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacy Champion under VHA Directive 1031. Responsibilities The Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Manager co-leads the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). The ASP Manager performs or facilitates the daily operations of the facility ASP to include ASP interventions, program management and analysis and outcomes tracking. The ASP Manager is a highly trained medication management expert, serving as a Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) and consultant in highly complex, clinical scenarios, collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure safe, appropriate, and cost-effective use of antimicrobial medications throughout the facility Some of the assigned duties are but not limited to: Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Management Co-leads the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) along with the Provider Champion to provide clinical pharmacy antimicrobial stewardship subject matter expertise in the design, implementation, advancement, management and function of the ASP. Co-leads the implementation of facility-wide ASP activities based on nationally recognized guidelines and optimizing the facility's antimicrobial use and other metrics needed to identify areas for stewardship interventions. Develops and manages necessary programs and services such as consultation services for acute and chronic disease state management, patient therapeutic drug monitoring, patient and staff education, and comprehensive medication management (CMM) relevant to the appropriate use of antimicrobials. Leads and participates in interdisciplinary patient safety, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance activities designed to measure, evaluate, and improve the use of antimicrobials, patient safety, quality measures/metrics, and outcomes in accordance with VA and national guidelines and regulatory requirements. Manages and coordinates components related to the ASP such as development and revision of the ASP Policy, strategic planning, and ASP Committee. Tracks and reports ASP metrics and outcomes. Prepares and presents the ASP Annual Report to relevant stakeholders. Serves as a facility antimicrobial formulary subject matter expert and advising providers on alternatives when a non-formulary antimicrobial agent is ordered. Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) Functions as an advanced practice provider for comprehensive medication management (CMM} services to achieve defined outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers across the continuum of care. Reviews and evaluates medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes. Provides clinical consultations to professional staff on the pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicity, and pharmacotherapeutics of antimicrobials. Orders, reviews and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. ASP Manager will assess the Veteran, order appropriate labs, analyze and prescribe appropriate medication therapy for optimal outcomes and improve patient access to care. Collaborates with providers to develop, implement, and maintain systems and tools that promote optimal antimicrobial use and desirable clinical outcomes through use of safe, cost-effective drug therapies. ASP Manager /ID CPP utilizes the most recent literature to draw a clear, concise conclusion applicable to effective disease management and pharmacotherapy. Is familiar with and participates in medication use evaluations (MUE) and studies on the effectiveness of antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal therapy. Research: In general, the ASP Program Manager will actively work towards adding to the body of knowledge by supporting research and quality improvement initiatives of Pharmacy Service. ASP Manager continually applies current drug information and program techniques in their daily practices Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS-32077F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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 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 Education-Transcript Submitted: 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. 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-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. 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 below criteria). 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. Grade Determinations:GS-13 Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. KSA's. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: Pharmacy infectious diseases residency and/or prior experience with experience with ASP program management. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching. 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.