LICENSED PHARMACIST (ASSOCIATE SERVICE CHIEF OPERATIONS)

Summary

This position in located at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Pharmacy Service. Incumbent is responsible for development, coordination and oversight of all inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy Services at all locations served by the Medical Center as well as maintaining academic affiliations. The role also guides ensures organization readiness and demonstrates strong strategic, supervisory and collaborative leadership.

Duties

The Associate Chief, Pharmacy Service (Operations) serves as the supervisor to operations Pharmacy staff and also serves as preceptor for pharmacy students and residents. Serves as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Chief, Pharmacy Service. Responsible for overseeing all clinical operations of the pharmacy service and participating in assessing, designing, teaching, evaluating, and coordinating the training and educational programs involving clinical pharmacist and pharmacy technicians; acts as a resource in training techniques and methodologies to ensure successful training and evaluation of the program; and actively contributes towards policy development, quality assurance, cost effectiveness, and patient outcomes. Major duties include, but may not be limited to: Responsible for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Aids in the selection and assignment of personnel and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential. Ensures orientation and training programs are established to ensure staff development, and provides orientation, guidance, direction, and training to pharmacy personnel in their areas of their responsibility. Develops, maintains and oversees an effective performance appraisal plan for all employees within the Service. Develops and maintains effective clinical pharmacy services from a cost and patient outcome perspective Organizes, develops, expands, and manages all clinical pharmacy programs. Collaborates with Chief, Pharmacy Service, Associate Chief, Pharmacy Service (Clinical Programs) and other pharmacy leaders to ensure policy adherence, regulatory compliance and coordinated interdisciplinary practice. Develops and maintains effective compliance programs, including monitoring of metrics to ensure survey readiness and ongoing adherence to regulatory standards. Serves as an advisor for matters pertaining to the enhancement of pharmacy operations and clinical pharmacy services. Recommends and implements quality improvement projects. Serves as subject matter expert in the areas of drug information, pharmacotherapy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacoeconomics. Assesses and analyzes QA monitors and clinical problems identified by Chief of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Supervisory staff to determine appropriate solutions and if they can be resolved by educational/training programs. Serves as a Preceptor to Pharmacy Residents and pharmacy students. As needed, prepares prescriptions, IV admixtures, inpatient orders, and controlled substance orders accurately, timely and in accordance with policy and procedure. As needed, evaluates provider orders/prescriptions as to appropriateness and verifies electronic order. Serves as the All-Hazards Emergency Cache (AHEC) Pharmacy Manager. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 / Pharmacist Associate Service Chief Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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. 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) Grade Determinations: GS-13 Pharmacist (Associate Service Chief) Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements (Reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution.) must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to negotiate to influence clinical and management decisions. 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 mission and goals of the organization. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff. Preferred Experience: Leading and managing multiple clinical pharmacy programs, developing and improving clinical services, and guiding staff through quality, regulatory, and performance initiatives. Advance clinical experience, interpersonal skills, and proven ability to collaborate across disciplines to achieve organizational goals. Preferred but not required. 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: Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds for short periods of time. Sitting, standing and walking up to 8 hours per shift includes reaching above shoulders and repeated bending 4 hours per shift. Use of fingers and both hands and near vision is required.

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/.