Associate Service Chief - Pharmacy

Summary

The Associate Service Chief of Pharmacy is responsible for providing supervision, professional, administrative, and clinical leadership and guidance to multiple, diverse programs at the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS). The incumbent is responsible for the management of all clinical and administrative programs in the ambulatory setting of pharmacy services and the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency.

Duties

30 Day Hiring Module: The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect: Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration. Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager. Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer. Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions. After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing. The Associate Chief, Education and Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Services is responsible for providing supervision, professional, administrative, and clinical leadership and guidance to multiple, diverse programs at the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS). The incumbent functions at the higher level with a significant scope and complexity and a high level of administrative independence. The incumbent is responsible for the management of all clinical and administrative programs in the ambulatory setting of pharmacy services and the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency; additionally, incumbent is supervisory point of contact for any other applicable PGY-2 pharmacy residency programs. The duties of the Associate Service Chief- Pharmacy include but are not limited to: Responsible for the management of all programs related to ambulatory care pharmacy. Ensure compliance with all Joint Commission, VACO, union contract, EEO regulations, and local standards and guidelines as well as federal and state laws as staffing and resources permit. Manages and ensures optimum utilization of all resources (personnel, fiscal, equipment, space, etc.) available to the section. As a fund control point official, complies with all guidelines for appropriate management of the budget. Responsible for all clinical pharmacy activities within the ambulatory section of pharmacy, including oversight of clinical pharmacy specialists' scopes of practice, clinical pharmacy guidelines, evidence based medication utilization and cost-effective care. Serve as a consultant within Pharmacy Services, and with other facility healthcare staff in monitoring and evaluating healthcare delivery to patients. Maintain preceptor status. As a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents, develops training programs for the applicable pharmacy rotations. Monitors all resident/student development and reports progress to the program director. Serves as coordinator for pharmacy valor program and maintains all aspects of that program including appropriate paperwork to National office and valor student oversight and evaluation. Provide training and continuing education to subordinate employees in order to prepare them for new assignments, improve job performance, and/or maintain self-development. Maintains appropriate rapport with internal and external customers to facilitate the accomplishment of the medical center goals and mission. Keeps supervisor and/or team leader informed of difficult and/or controversial issues and unique problems. Takes action to effectively solve problems before they have an adverse impact on the organization or other employees. Incorporates the VA Core Values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence in all interactions. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 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 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. 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). 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. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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 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. A pharmacist who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of the candidates. Associate Service Chief (Pharmacy), GS-14 Experience. At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13) which demonstrates the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics related to the position to be filled. KSAs described at the next lower grade level, GS-13, include the following: 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; and ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff. In addition to the experience mentioned above, the candidate must also demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and and technical issues. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operation 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: Experience with pharmacy residency program leadership preferred. 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-14. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. If the occupation has a specific physical requirement listed under the Qualification Standard beyond the citation of Handbook 5019 a manager can choose to put it as an additional requirement. This is optional.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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

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.