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 Requirements

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: 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 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. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following Full Performance KSAs: a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. e. 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/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13 Physical Requirements: Applicants must be able to perform the following duties: light lifting; Walking or standing for up to 8-hours; Must possess visual acuity to read typed print; Keen hearing (aids permitted).The loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated by satisfactory use of prosthesis.

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/. How You Will Be Evaluated

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. Other Information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.