Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager - Compounding & Management of Hazardous Drugs)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

The Pharmacy Program Manager is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and regulatory compliance of compounded products (sterile and non-sterile) and hazardous drugs, including the management of environmental control of the storage and compounding areas, as well as training and competency of pharmacy personnel. The incumbent will serve as facility CSP Advisory Committee Co-Chair, which is established to ensure compliance with all VHA Directives and the Joint Commissions (TJC) standards. The Program Manager is responsible for developing and implementing appropriate policy and procedures to support full compliance with United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapters 795, 797, 800, and other applicable laws, regulations and standards (e.g. Joint Commission, OIG, FDA, DEA, NIOSH, etc.) to include a written contingency plan, in collaborations with Environmental Management Service, Engineering, and/or Biomedical staff to ensure continual operations or activation of contingency plans. With the help of Quality Management and Infection Prevention and Control, the Program Manager is responsible for maintaining a Sterile Compounding Safety and Quality Assurance (QA) plan. The Program Manager must also have working knowledge of operational systems and processes including medication distribution, IV admixture, and order processing, as well as knowledge of VistA, CPRS, Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) software used by pharmacy staff, and hardware/software used in the operation of all automation utilized in routine tasks. Thorough knowledge and understanding of the various regulation including FDA, DEA, USP, NIOSH, IOC, Joint Commission, and VHA national and local handbooks and directives, policies and standard operating procedures pertaining to the practice of pharmacy is required. In addition, other duties include but are not limited to: Develops and maintains and in-depth knowledge, skill and flexibility in general and specialized areas (oncology & infusion) of pharmacy practice, in the assigned practice area, or other areas of Pharmacy Service to provide for patient care needs, or support to improve the service's operational efficiency. Reviews Prior Authorization Drug Requests Provides management of general medication management therapy by utilization of skills in patient assessment, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Reviews and evaluates prescribed drug therapy for appropriateness. Assesses effectiveness, cost-benefit, adverse drug reactions, allergies, drug-drug and drug-disease interactions of patient's therapy. Recommendations are communicated to providers and pharmacists and documented as necessary. This includes evaluation and approval/disapproval of non-formulary requests as assigned. Acts as pharmacotherapy expert and provides expertise to other providers, pharmacists, nurses and other disciplines as appropriate. Provides medication education and counseling to patients and their caregivers. Responds and provides assistance to hospital codes such as Code Blue or Code MET. Performs review and verification of medication orders which includes correct and complete patient information, correct medication, dose, route and frequency of administration in compliance with medical center medication use policies. Orders are checked for patient allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and priority. Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues including pharmacotherapeutic and formulary issues. Documents interventions as necessary. Assists with medication reconciliation and smooth transitions of medication across the continuum of care. Dispenses controlled substances with accuracy according to current policy and procedures and federal statutes. May initiate and/or participate in research studies in practice areas as assigned. Maintains knowledge of trends and developments in the pharmaceutical compounding practice through continuous professional development. Identifies staff educational and training needs pertaining to the area of pharmaceutical compounding processes and hazardous drug management. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:45 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61730F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: 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.) 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 Tect (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). In addition to the basic requirements listed above, the below qualification requirements must be met. Grade Determinations: GS-13 Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager) Experience. Must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that includes: (Must be documented on your resume). 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 progr