Pharmacy Supervisor - Inpatient Job in Des Moines, IA

Vacancy No. CBSY-12736442-25-AA Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $142,005.00 to $184,609.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/15/2025 Close Date 5/28/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Des Moines, IA


Summary

GS-13 Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor
The primary responsibility is providing supervision, professional and administrative leadership and guidance to the Inpatient Section of Pharmacy Service at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VHACIHS). The position reports to the Associate Chief - Operations, Pharmacy Service.




This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent VA employees. The public and employees of other federal agencies may apply to announcement number CBSY-127364444-25-AA.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Functions: (In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed below the incumbent must also be able to perform all staff pharmacist duties.)

A. The incumbent is responsible for administrative/supervisory functions:
1. Has direct line supervisory responsibility for Inpatient Clinical Pharmacists and the CLC pharmacist; has indirect supervisory responsibility for the Pharmacy Technician Supervisor, Inpatient Technicians, IV Room Specialized Technicians, and Student Interns.
2. Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Inpatient Pharmacy.
3. Responsible for the development, revision and implementation of policies and procedures for this section.
4. Responsible for all performance improvement activities in the Inpatient Pharmacy including audits and accuracy screening.
5. Maintains effective relations with medical, professional, and administrative staff of our institution.
6. Responsible for providing professional guidance to medical and professional staff.
7. Responsible for enforcement of VHACIHS and Pharmacy service policies.
8. Completes performance evaluations in a timely manner. Recommends awards and/or disciplinary actions as appropriate.
9. Oversees day-to-day maintenance and operation of Pharmacy equipment/automation and utilizes available reporting functions to optimize efficiency in collaboration with the Pharmacy Automation Technician/ADPAC.
10.Works with the Pharmacy Leadership team to promote optimal patient care within budget appropriation.
11.Responsible for assignment of work of the staff.
12.Responsible for an accurate daily record of time and attendance.
13.Responsible for completing all assignments on time. If for any reason, any assignment requires an extension, that extension will be requested prior to the due date.
14.Assures medications dispensed and services provided are consistent with accreditation standards and applicable laws impacting VHACIHS and Pharmacy service.
15.Monitors and maintains appropriate data and prepares reports and correspondences in a complete, accurate, and timely manner.
16.Participates in interdisciplinary medical center committees as a member representing Pharmacy service. The incumbent serves on quality assurance and administrative investigations when appointed.

B. The incumbent is responsible for the following activities in Program Management:
1. Functions as a Program Supervisor to the Inpatient Pharmacy section (acute care, CLC, and inpatient Domiciliary) regarding planning, directing, controlling, and coordinating comprehensive distributive Pharmacy services.
2. Maintains good workflow patterns to keep drug distribution in accordance with the requirements of Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) for both unit-dose and IV admixture programs while ensuring accurate dispensing and record keeping.
3. Effectively organizes workload, directs inpatient activities, plans short- and long-range objectives/goals, solves problems, and achieves established goals within budget and staffing constraints.
4. Incorporates performance improvement (PI) activities into all areas of the Inpatient Pharmacy section. Develops quality assurance (QA) criteria, monitors and evaluates quality of care provided by the Inpatient Pharmacy section, and reports results to appropriate Pharmacy Leadership and staff.
5. Works with other Pharmacy Leadership, pharmaco-economist, and pharmacy procurement to provide cost effective care.
6. Works with other pharmacy leadership and staff to identify areas of duplication of efforts and develops solutions to streamline processes, reduce waste, save costs and improve patient care.

C. The incumbent is responsible for the following clinical functions:
1. Verifying provider orders to be complete and appropriate for dose, route and frequency.
2. Screening orders for incompatibilities, patient allergies and drug interactions.
3. Provides basic consultative information concerning drug therapy to providers, nurses, and health care professionals.
4. Clarifies and resolves all problems identified which relate to patient drug therapy. Refers all matters requiring further administrative action to the Associate Chief - Operations or Chief of Pharmacy.
5. Monitors patients for medical and pharmaceutical problems and documents information.
6. Actively participates in Performance Improvement (PI) Activities.
7. Collaborates with the Associate Chief - Clinical, Pharmacy Service for pharmacist scopes of practice and related competencies in the Inpatient Pharmacy section.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 0730-1600
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
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. 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).

Qualifications

All requirement must be met by the close date of this announcement, 05/28/2025

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. 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.
  • 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:

GS-13 Pharmacy Supervisor
Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-12. The GS-12 requirements include: Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice; Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff; Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security; Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
AND
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Ability to effectively supervise subordinate staff.
b. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
c. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards pertaining to pharmacy.
d. Skill in managing people or programs.

Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year of supervisory experience managing hospital pharmacy employees in a 24/7 staffing model. Minimum 3 years of clinical pharmacist practice experience in a hospital practice setting with inpatient focus.

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.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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:

  • License
  • Resume
  • 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
  • Recommended: Write to Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) - See "Qualifications" section of announcement
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' preference does not apply for internal current permanent agency employees.

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 05/28/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12736442.

  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.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

Adam Abbott
Address
VA Central Iowa Health Care System
3600 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
US

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements