Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The CMOP Director is responsible for all programs and services provided by the CMOP. Duties of the position include:
Program Management:

• Establishes local policies and procedures that assure compliance with all VA, DEA, FDA, and OSHA, guidelines and regulations as well as recommendations by other review bodies such as JCAHO and various Information Security certification groups.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate procurement, accounting, storage, security, dispensing, disposal and/or return of all products provided by the CMOP and strict accountability of all drug products, supplies and equipment.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate levels for personnel, equipment, space and funding needed to support the goals and mission of the CMOP.
• Performs the full range of personnel management duties to include interviewing of candidates, preparation of performance appraisals and standards, disciplinary actions, recommendations of appointment, recommendations of advancement of promotion and resolves labor concerns and grievances following contract and/or local guidelines.
• Manages the professional and administrative aspects of the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy facility and operation to ensure provision of accurate, timely, progressive, and cost-effective pharmaceutical services.
• Establishes short- and long-range goals to meet the patient care needs and objectives of the VA CMOP program, the participating medical centers and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Provides leadership in the identification, analysis, and evaluation of healthcare trends and in the development of policy, which ensures the provision of quality, cost-effective pharmaceutical services.
• Responsible for the implementation of all authorized Pharmacy/CMOP associated VISTA and pharmaceutical product items as well as prescribed medical supply item dispensing programs and enhancements.
• Responsible for the Quality Control/Quality Improvement program for the CMOP and for the integration with each of the participating medical centers' QA program.
• Responsible for the economic efficiency of the CMOP, which includes the strategic utilization of FTEE and effectively managing drug/medical supply expenditures.
• Responsible for establishing comprehensive QA/PI programs and Safety programs which analyze internal procedures and integrates with the activities of each participating facility.
• Establishes and maintains mechanisms for the tracking and reporting drug utilization, costs and other relevant data to the participating sites in a useful format and in a timely manner.
• Works to achieve objectives of Federal Personnel programs including EEO, Federal Women's program, Handicap Program, Labor-Management Relations, etc.
• May be responsible for multiple shifts of employees.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Clinical:

• Interfaces and coordinates CMOP activities with the clinical aspects of pharmaceutical care as initiated at each of the participating medical centers.
• Supports and assures the provision of drug information is in compliance with VA policy.
• Supports interventions identified by pharmacists on behalf of the medical centers to further the provision of excellent patient care.

Preferred Experience:

• Leadership & Management Experience
  • Senior-level leadership in pharmacy operations, healthcare administration, or logistics.
  • Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams (pharmacists, technicians, IT, logistics, QA).
• Pharmacy Operations Expertise
  • Deep understanding of pharmaceutical distribution systems, especially mail-order or centralized pharmacy models.
  • Familiarity with USP standards, DEA regulations, and VA-specific policies.
  • Experience with automated dispensing systems and pharmacy informatics.
• Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge
  • Strong grasp of federal pharmacy regulations, including FDA, DEA, and VA OIG requirements.
  • Experience with accreditation processes (e.g., Joint Commission, URAC).
• Strategic Planning & Innovation
  • Demonstrated success in strategic planning, process improvement, and change management.
  • Experience implementing Lean Six Sigma or other continuous improvement.
• Budget & Resource Management
  • Oversight of multi-million dollar budgets and resource allocation.
  • Experience with contract management, especially in federal or VA contexts.
• Technology & Data Analytics
  • Familiarity with VA pharmacy systems (e.g., VistA, CPRS, CMOP-specific platforms).
  • Ability to leverage data analytics for performance monitoring and decision-making.
• Veteran-Centered Care Experience
  • Experience working within or alongside federal healthcare systems.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-15.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Available on an ad hoc basis
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 77076A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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.acpeaccredit.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.(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)).

(1) Exception. Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed.
(2) Failure to Obtain License. In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment.

• English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

• Experience. In addition to the GS-14 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Grade Level Criteria. At the GS-15 level, Chiefs of Pharmacy must meet the following:
  • Individuals are assigned as Chiefs of Pharmacy at Complexity Level 1a, 1b or 1c VHA facilities; or
  • 2.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 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.

• Demonstrated KSAs. The KSAs shown below apply to all assignments at this grade level, and the specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) apply to assignment 1 and 2.
  • 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 missions and goals of the organization.
  • *Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• License
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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
• License
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• 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.

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