Pharmacist - Facility Program Manager

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Duties include but not limited to:

Program Management

• Coordinates student experiential rotations with the affiliated colleges, serves as the site coordinator, maintains affiliation agreements
• Plans and oversees onboarding, orientation and educational instruction for pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technician students from affiliated colleges.
• Serves and fulfills the duties as the Residency Program Director (RPD). Maintains American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) Accreditation status as required by the VHA.
• Cooperates with and provided requested information to a college of pharmacy that is being visited by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
• Manages PGY1 and coordinates management of PGY2 residency programs in planning and executing reaccreditation tasks, recruitment activities, and maintenance of policies and handbooks.
• Coordinates orientation, longitudinal and rotational activities among the programs in conjunction with supervisors
• Ensures timely duty hour reporting and evaluation completion in Pharm academic, tracks preceptor timeliness
• Plans and deploys all preceptor development activities, Residency Advisory Board meetings, tracks attendance, and tracks preceptor eligibility status throughout the year
• Coordinates all resident travel and external obligations in accordance with ASHP and local handbook requirements, including working with other departments to obtain budgetary approval, making travel arrangements through Concur or other official VA travel process, and monitoring participation, may include coordinating or co-hosting local conferences

Education and Training

• In conjunction with the PLF, develops concepts, strategies, and guidelines for new and existing training materials for technicians and pharmacists.
• Develops, implements, and documents a preceptor development plan to assist preceptors in developing skills in teaching and mentoring; ensuring that all mandatory ASHP Residency Accreditation requirements are met.

Administrative

• Responsible for the accuracy, validity, and timely submission of pharmacy workload activity reports, systematic review/performance improvement reports, operations reports, drug utilization/data reports, and other special reports that are pertinent to the incumbent's program area as may be required by special committees or higher management.
• Develops policies and procedures relating to assigned pharmacy services.
• Assists with the development of pharmacy policy and Medical Center Policy (MCP); assumes a leadership role in developing personnel management/training policies for the department in accordance with Human Resource Management (HRM) guidelines as requested.

Direct Patient Care

• Functions independently as a mid-level provider under an approved Scope of Practice, spending 25% or more time performing direct patient care activities. Responsibilities include assessing, designing, initiating, modifying, and monitoring patient-specific therapeutic plans in collaboration with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Obtains comprehensive medication histories and evaluates medication regimens for safety, effectiveness, adherence, contraindications, interactions, therapeutic duplication, and achievement of treatment goals. Communicates recommendations to prescribers and provides evidence-based alternatives when indicated.
• Monitors, documents, and reports adverse drug events, allergies, medication errors, and adherence concerns per facility procedures and supports reporting through VA ADERS.
• Actively participates in interdisciplinary care processes, problem-solving, and coordination of care.
• The incumbent serves as an authoritative resource regarding drug therapy, evidence-based treatment guidelines, dosing considerations, drug interactions, and disease management. The incumbent evaluates and responds to drug information inquiries using appropriate electronic and written references and ensures timely, accurate, and clinically sound recommendations.
• Supports formulary management by evaluating non-formulary and restricted medication requests, assisting with therapeutic conversions, and promoting adherence to VA National, VISN, and local Pharmacy and Therapeutics policies. Communicates clinical guidance to influence safe and effective prescribing practices.
• Participates in drug use evaluations, quality improvement projects, and assigned local or VISN-level committees to support the safe and effective use of medications throughout the health care system.
• Provides clinical services in additional outpatient specialty areas based on organizational needs and the practitioner's training, experience, and approved Scope of Practice.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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.
• 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:
  • (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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR,
  • (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). (DOCUMENTATION 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. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED)
• English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)

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 GS-13

• Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12).
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
  • Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
  • Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
  • Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
  • Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

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

Physical Requirements: Work includes some walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items such as paper and books. Most of the work is performed while seated.

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.

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

• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• 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
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• 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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