Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager)

Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATIVE:

Responsible for the oversight and accountability of all Schedule II through Schedule V controlled substances.

Responsible for the timely completion of all reports, projects, and initiatives pertaining to controlled substance management.

Responsible for developing and maintaining controlled substance competencies and required training for Pharmacy Service staff.

Develops and maintains a cooperative working relationship with other departments such that the overall activities and scope of the CS program are carried out efficiently.

CLINICAL FUNCTIONS:

Monitors trends in the treatment of patients with controlled substances in the various functional areas of the hospital and reports apparent emerging trends to the Associate Chief of Pharmacy Operations for follow-up action.

Serves as a resource to the professional staff of the hospital in determining equivalent doses of various controlled substances.

DISTRIBUTIVE FUNCTIONS:

Reviews computerized controlled substance transactions performed daily to determine possible diversionary activity and takes appropriate follow-up action when such activity is detected.

Monitors ordering, dispensing, administration, destruction, wasting, etc. patterns to detect patterns indicating possible diversion and reports such patterns to the Associate Chief of Pharmacy Operations.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT:

Designs, implements, and maintains a system of ongoing audits which monitor controlled substance distribution and use in all areas managed by the CS program.

Ensures all controlled substance returns/destructions are processed within appropriate timeframe.

Monitors performance of Pharmacy Service staff when completing controlled substance transactions and reports problems and/or concerns

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH:

Provides initial introduction to controlled substance handling for all new pharmacists and technicians during the orientation portion of their training.

Provides in-services to all staff on policies and procedures related to the handling and use of controlled substances.

Responsible for providing hospital staff with accurate, comprehensive information regarding the use and handling of controlled substances.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm
Telework: AD-HOC
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10233F
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 identification 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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

OR,

Foreign Education: Graduate of a foreign pharmacy degree program if you are 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). (CERTIFICATION REQUIRED)

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. (LICENSE REQUIRED)

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).

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following:

GS-13 Grade Determinations: Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager) Control Substance Program Manager

Specialized Experience: Do you possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) or equivalent, which is directly related to the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Control Substance Program Manager) position? The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Control Substance Program Manager) functions include: oversight and accountability of all schedule II through schedule V controlled substances; ordering, prescribing, administration, returns, waste, and disposal; responsible for timely completion of all reports, projects, and initiatives pertaining to controlled substance management; compiles and stores pertinent controlled substance paper and electronic records; assist in gathering, coordinating, and reporting of data from various functional area when requested and assist with internal audits as required etc.

AND,

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrated the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):

1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.

2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.

3. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.

4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.

5. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Facility Program Manager: Manages 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 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.

Preferred Experience: Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL); PGY2 Pharmacy Residency and/or at least 2 years experience managing inpatient/outpatient controlled substance programs.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

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.

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.

Area of Consideration:

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on Veteran's Preference.

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

• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Transcript

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
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• 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.

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