Duties
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws
The ACCE is also assigned the responsibilities of being the Director of the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program, the liaison between affiliated schools for clerkship and other teaching issues, and the coordinator for pharmacist training programs at West Texas VA Health Care System (WTXVAHCS).
The incumbent plans, directs, and coordinates comprehensive pharmacy activities with the Chief, Pharmacy Service at the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTXVAHCS) and 4 associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. WTXVAHCS specializes in numerous unique treatment programs including The Domiciliary, Substance Abuse Treatment Program, The Community Living Center, which provides specialty care in Rehabilitation, Geriatric, Interim, Long Term, Hospice/Palliative, and Respite Care.
The ACCE is responsible for serving in an acting capacity for the Chief, Pharmacy Service as well as the Associate Chief, Operations. The incumbent is familiar with all facets of inpatient, outpatient, and clinical programs and provides support to specialty medical programs such as medical and ophthalmology, mental health, dental, hospice, and nursing home. The ACCE has administrative and supervisory responsibility for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy residents, and pharmacy students.
The Pharmacy Service offers a full range of pharmaceutical and clinical services including but not limited to decentralized unit dose dispensing, IV admixture program (USP 797 and 800 compliant), state veteran home, pain, mental health, outpatient anticoagulation services, and disease state management clinics. Pharmacy service also serves as a major rotation site for pharmacy students from the local schools of pharmacy and has a self-accredited American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) Pharmacy Practice Residency program.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54710F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Recruitment Incentives. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full-time, part time[,] or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service.
Relocation Incentives. Relocation incentives may be authorized to full-time Federal employees who must change worksite[s] and physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive, it would be difficult to fill the position with a high-quality candidate.
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.
- 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
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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Education Requirements.
One of the following must be met to meet the basic education requirements for this position.
- 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.)
- Graduate of foreign pharmacy degree programs. Must 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) with application. FPGEC Certificate counts as proof.
License: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Pharmacist in a US State or Territory
NOTE: Your time licensed as a Pharmacist will need to also cover the experience you are using to qualify for this position.
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).
Grade Determinations:
GS-14 (a) Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
NOTE: To be equivalent to the GS-13 level, experience must also have been earned while being fully licensed in a US State or territory.
Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
- Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
- Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
- Skill in managing multiple people or programs.
- Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
- Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.
REFERENCE: GS-13 Requirements
GS-13 Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Assignments. Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. 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.
Assignments at the GS-13 level include: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Facility Program Manager, Pharmacy Supervisor, and Associate Service Chief/Associate Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) Director.
NOTE: To be equivalent to the GS-12 level, experience must also have been earned while being fully licensed in a US State or territory.
REFERENCE: GS-12 Requirements
Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:
- 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or
- Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
Preferred Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years clinical pharmacy professional experience to include assessing, monitoring, and documenting therapeutic plans
- PGY1 pharmacy residency involvement including learning experience preceptor, project sponsor, and/or residency screening and selection
- VA pharmacy experience to include the following: formulary management, dispensing pharmaceuticals, inventory management, executing recalls, therapeutic interchange
- 2 years customer service experience to include service recovery
- Pharmacy program management experience: may include lead clinical or operational roles
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14.
Physical Requirements:
General Occupational Information: Pharmacists may dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to health practitioners and patients about proper usage of medications. Pharmacists advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the safe and effective use of medication. Pharmacists may practice compounding. Pharmacists may prescribe and administer certain medications. Pharmacists may have prescriptive authority to either independently prescribe under their own authority or in collaboration with a primary care physician through an agreed upon protocol. Pharmacy work requires knowledge of the use, clinical effects, and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties. Many pharmacists work in a in a hospital or clinic. Pharmacists in hospitals and clinics may perform duties such as, but not limited to:
- dispense, prescribe and/or administer medications;
- advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs;
- may make sterile solutions and buy medical supplies;
- assess, plan, and monitor drug programs or regimens;
- counsel patients on the use of drugs; and
- evaluate drug use patterns and outcomes for patients in hospitals or managed care organizations.
- Medical Requirements: Applicants must be able to distinguish basic colors
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/.
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.)
Graduate of foreign pharmacy degree programs. Must 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) with application. FPGEC Certificate counts as proof.
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
NOTE: If your school was accredited by ACPE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACPE website (http://www.acpe-accredit.org/), you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link
https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Resume/CV
- FPGEC Certification
- Other (3)
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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 10/14/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12811039.
- 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.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
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.