Duties
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws
Facility Program Manager (Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist) GS-0660-13
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:
The Program Manager, Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist, is a multifunctional position with an emphasis on informatics operations. The incumbent serves as a resource person in the management and development of multiple hardware and software tools critical to pharmacy service operations, as well as the collection, management, and analysis of data for pharmacy service or Healthcare System management. The incumbent is a pharmacist who possesses extensive knowledge of Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Veterans Information System Technology Architecture (VISTA) pharmacy applications and is familiar with Microsoft Office and National database management systems. With this knowledge the incumbent works to investigate, evaluate and resolve problems relating to BCMA, CPRS and VISTA applications as they relate to the mission of the pharmacy service, pharmaceutical care for Veterans at VA Central Western Massachusetts (VA CWM) Health Care System. The incumbent performs oversight and management activities in support of the pharmacy service's mission. This position is based at the Leeds, Massachusetts campus and may be eligible for occasional telework. Duties performed in this role include all former responsibilities of the automatic data processing applications coordinator (ADPAC). The incumbent is an important liaison between Pharmacy Service and the Office of Information and Technology (OIT). This person also may be called upon to temporarily function in the capacity of a GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist in any area of competency as staffing requirements occasionally dictate. The ADPAC Pharmacist provides optimal pharmaceutical care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the VA CWM Health Care System.
Facility Program Managers manage all aspects of a distinct program to include policy development, quality resources and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize cost effectiveness (budget) and patient outcomes. Coordinates a single program area of a complex pharmacy operation, or multiple program areas within a facility to develop, organize, manage, and control complex pharmacy programs.
Develops, organizes, coordinates and manages 5 single or multiple program areas within the medical facility; this may include a single program area at multiple facilities. The Program Manager title is reserved for those individuals who have one or more of the following: supervisory responsibilities for various sections within Pharmacy Service; a complex program requiring coordination of multiple locations such as medical center care facilities, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), rural health, telemedicine, etc.; specialized areas of a complex nature such as nuclear pharmacy, quality assurance, pharmacy informatics, clinical applications coordinator, Home Based Primary Care, pharmacoeconomist or liaison pharmacist duties requiring the coordination of processes with other medical facilities or VISNs.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Ad-Hoc Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F7930
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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.
- 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.
- 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
- Education: (1) 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.)(2) 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.
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:
Facility Program Manager (Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist) GS-0660-13
Experience and Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following:
- 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS12) and
- Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
Functions include but are not limited to:
- Functions as a CPRS program specialist by participation in the evaluation and maintenance of the electronic health record as it relates to medication utilization. This would include the following:
- Serves as an active member on Healthcare System CPRS committees.
- Coordinates with Pharmacy to support pharmacy initiatives in pharmaceutical care and proper documentation of these activities.
- Works with other Healthcare System services in their efforts to develop and maintain decision supported medication ordering pathways.
- Identifies and investigates problems relating to the electronic health record and initiates corrective actions or procedures.
- Functions as an automation specialist for all pharmacy equipment used to package, dispense, and store pharmaceuticals. This would include the following:
- Assists pharmacy management in the assessment of existing pharmacy automation.
- When it is determined that acquisition of new automation is necessary, assists in the evaluation of market options, assists in contract development, and assumes responsibility, along with Clinical Engineering, for assuring that vendor contract obligations are met.
- Coordinates with inpatient and outpatient pharmacy supervisors, as well as pharmacy technicians, to support continuing operation of pharmacy automation.
- Identifies and investigates problems relating to pharmacy automation and initiates corrective actions or procedures.
- Functions as the primary person responsible for the request of VISTA, network, and application specific user accounts.
- Assures pharmacy staff members receive appropriate levels of system access initially and then as the nature of their appointments change.
- Possesses a wide range of knowledge of parenteral and oral forms of medication and their uses, interactions or incompatibilities with other drugs, dosage forms, recommended dosages, and basic pharmacology.
- Possesses knowledge of kinetic dosing models and how they can be incorporated into order sets/control systems to ensure safety.
- Troubleshoots user problems on computer or ADP issues; refers technical problems to OIT and Biomedical Engineering as appropriate.
- Works with OIT to maintain the VISTA pharmacy package. Is designated as the VISTA pharmacy package manager.
- Serves as Pharmacy Service representative to the BCMA Multidisciplinary Committee and represents Pharmacy Service interests and perspectives related to ADP issues. Serves on other committees as assigned by Chief, Pharmacy Service.
- Gathers and interprets data about Pharmacy Service work processes and suitable process redesign of management information systems to capture data about these processes. This would include monthly Reprint Audits and OIG Non-Control Monitors.
- Works with Clinical Applications Coordinators (CAC's) in developing CPRS ordering enhancements, pharmacy related quick orders and VISN developed MUE's and clinical reminders.
- Participates in beta testing of nationally developed software such as BCMA, inpatient medications and outpatient medications prior to national release. Troubleshoots the software following developed test plans.
- Maintains pharmacy computer databases (National Drug File, local drug file, users, adverse reactions/allergies, orderable item file, IV additive and solutions file and pharmacy ordering enhancements).
- Reviews all changes and updates to all pharmacy related software. Performs Fileman, SQL and ProClarity searches as requested by the Pharmacy Management team, or their delegates.
- As a government purchase card approving official, the Program Manager, Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist will ensure compliance with all VHA Handbook 1730.1 requirements related to the use of the government purchase card, retention, and applicable time frames.
Supervisory Controls: The Program Manager, Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist reports to the Chief of Pharmacy, administratively. This individual will work highly independent of direct supervision but will have responsibilities for projects arising from all Pharmacy Supervisors. (Clinical, Inpatient, Outpatient). The ADPAC will often confer with all Pharmacy supervisors to resolve particularly problematic issues.
Preferred Experience: Prior experience with Pharmacy Informatics.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (1 hour); pushing (1 hour) reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours); standing (2 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.
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:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this
checklist to 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
- Other (1)
- 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.
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 12/26/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12624339.
- 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.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
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.