Chief of Pharmacy Job in Iron Mountain, MI

Summary

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

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

Duties

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.

• 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.

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 10/13/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12807680.

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.