Associate Chief of Pharmacy Job in Hampton, VA

Summary

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

  Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Duties

The Associate Chief of Pharmacy Operations is responsible for the planning, coordination, management, and maintenance of comprehensive distributive, logistical, and administrative pharmacy services to support the Medical Center's mission. The incumbent has oversight of inpatient, outpatient, controlled substance accountability, automation, informatics, community care, and pharmacoeconomic and procurement operations to support the Hampton VAMC and healthcare system. The incumbent also actively participates in local, VISN, and national advisory/work groups, is an active member of national and state pharmacy and health care organizations and is a subject matter expert on matters related to pharmacy operations. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assesses, plans, and evaluates the pharmacy services assigned to ensure proper coordination between the delivery of pharmacy services and the overall delivery of health care. The incumbent accepts substantial and continual responsibility and accountability for planning, organizing, coordinating, and controlling complex pharmacy operations. Participates in long range program planning and model development for effective and timely delivery of pharmaceutical services. The incumbent will oversee implementation and maintenance of services to ensure compliance with accepted healthcare delivery standards.
• Maintains an efficient and effective medication distribution system for unit-dose medications, outpatient prescription dispensing, hazardous and non-hazardous sterile compounding, non-sterile compounding, automated medication replenishment programs, and automated dispensing technology. Coordinates resources to ensure effective drug information services, patient counseling, medication reconciliation (to include discharge counseling), and inventory management.
• Maintains adequate stock levels and control inventories in the pharmacy, patient care areas, and satellite clinics. Responsible for the inspection of drug storage areas assuring that all requirements are met and maintained for security, accountability, and storage conditions of inventories. Creates procedures to obtain emergency medications in the shortest possible time frame.
• Maintains oversight of the controlled substance accountability program and the drug accountability program for Pharmacy Service. Coordinates with other departments or agencies to effectively maintain resource accountability.
• Defines and establishes effective process monitors and quality controls for the proper surveillance of the accuracy and integrity of medication management systems under the incumbent's supervision. Can take appropriate action for metrics not being met and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Plans and maintains staffing patterns that promote use of all levels of Service personnel to achieve the Service's mission and goals. Takes appropriate action(s) to realign resources to meet changing workload demands and to meet goals and priorities.
• Establishes, implements, and revises quality improvement and departmental goal planning efforts which are integrated with goals and objectives of the Medical Center, VISN, or VA Central Office. Participates in and leads systems redesign activities to improve the availability and quality of pharmaceutical care throughout the facility.
• Advises on pharmacoeconomic programs related to evidence-based uses of medications and makes recommendations for system-wide interventions when deemed necessary to assure optimal usage of pharmacotherapeutic resources.
• Ensures pharmacy functioning is compliant with Federal, VHA, DEA, FDA, TJC, and local facility policies and procedures (as applicable).
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized work environment. Ensure that the work site is in compliance with basic safety standards set by OSHA and the Medical Center and that Service employees receive all mandatory training in safety related topics.
• Maintains current professional services policies governing drug procurement, storage and dispensing procedures and the provision of drug information within the hospital and Outpatient Clinic. Procedures are maintained in accordance with VHA Handbooks, VHA Directives, Joint Commission Guidelines, applicable federal and state laws, and current and accepted policies and standards for pharmacy practice.
• Interfaces with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to optimize rational and cost-effective medication therapy.

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).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/22/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12779785.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.