Clarification from the agency

Applicants will be considered based on the following areas of consideration: 1) Facility Employees - Current, permanent John D. Dingell Medical Center employees; 2) Other VA Employees - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees who are located at other VA medical centers; 3) Status Candidates - Current, permanent Federal employees, former Federal employees with reinstatement rights, 30% or More Disabled, VRA and VEOA eligible. 4) Public applicants.

Videos

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

In this position, the duties you will be performing include, but are not limited to:

Administrative:

• Providing coordination and oversight for assigned pharmacist and technician work activities.
• Utilizing inpatient and outpatient pharmacy service resources and operating the programs areas within allocated budgets and personnel ceilings.
• Monitoring and providing first-line oversight of all Pharmacy work-related activities.
• Assisting in the recommendation, drafting and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.
• Recommending to pharmacy administration a full range of personnel actions such as promotions, placements, counseling, disciplinary actions, ratings, etc.
• Developing goals, position descriptions, functional statements and performance standards for those employees directly supervised.
• Serves on medical center committees as assigned and applies knowledge, judgment and expertise to guide the committee decisions and actions.
• Assist with operation of the Pharmacy all emergency Cache as needed and as assigned.
• Assists in the safe handling and distribution of investigational drugs, pharmaceutical waste and medications for return for credit if applicable.
• Participates in required controlled substance inspection inventories. Acts as pharmacy's representative to address dispensing concerns in order to resolve, prevent or minimize any discrepancy or diversion incidents.
• Assists Chief of Pharmacy in developing new clinical programs to ensure maintenance of appropriate quality patient care.
• Maintains cooperative and effective work relationships with Pharmacy managers and staff, interdepartmental relations with medical, professional and administrative staff by committee membership, active problem resolution skills, and close collaboration with other services in accomplishing medical center missions and goals.
• Will be expected to provide administrative coverage for other Pharmacy Supervisors during absences.
• Provides oversight and or coordinates subordinates' documentation of medication error, adverse drug reaction, and allergy and drug interaction incidents. Takes appropriate action as indicated.
• Ensures drugs dispensed are secure and correctly labeled and packaged in full compliance with VAMC, USP, VHA, OIG, Joint Commission, National Patient Safety Goals and State and Federal rules and regulations.

Program Management:

• Supports the management and implementation of an effective continuous quality assessment of related Pharmacy programs.
• Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long term interest of the organization, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks.
• Coordinates efforts in maintaining appropriate records and in meeting the timely submission of all reports, such AMIS, CDR, staffing guidelines, and other required information related to Pharmacy operations.
• Identifies and implements a performance improvement program consistent with Joint Commission, VACO, and other relevant quality management standards.
• Manages the Pharmacy, commensurate with the adequacy of basic resource requirements to ensure prompt and effective response to the needs of patients and medical staff.
• Assist with the budgetary plans and forecasts.
• Must maintain full, unrestricted licensure. Active BLS certification required for continued employment.
• Provides training and education to health care providers and support staff regarding medication use and or preparation. Responsible for ensuring that the educational goals of the department are met.
• Conducts just in time and on the job training as needed that align with established procedures and job instruction sheets. Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns,
• residents and professional and non-professional staff members. Responsible for communicating new programs and changes to the staff.
• The Supervisory Pharmacist will also possess the following:
• Knowledge of overall VHA and VISN organizational structure, types of facilities to initiate appropriate actions
• Knowledge of administrative issues pertaining to personnel management for bargaining unit and non-bargaining unit employees, labor relations processes, EEO goals and Merit promotion plans
• Skill in written and oral communications
• Knowledge of patient eligibilities and programs; ex. Community care, Fee Basis, Tri-Care
• Skill in investigatory processes, interviewing, data compilation, development of recommendations
• Knowledge of accounting concepts and financial management principles

Work Schedule: Varied tours with occasional weekend/holidays to accommodate pharmacy service
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91747-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.

• (1) 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/.
• (2) 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.

• Exception. Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed.
• Failure to Obtain License. In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for Ii censure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment.

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 Clinical Pharmacist Experience or Education. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, do you possess 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service? The Pharmacy Supervisor is responsible for the professional and administrative management of an assigned area in pharmacy service, to include budgetary execution. Such individuals have responsibilities for supervising multiple pharmacists and technicians. Manages people, maintains effective interdepartmental relations, and cooperates with other services to accomplish the medical facility's mission and goals. Develops performance standards, assures that the program area is compliant with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements, designs and implements orientation and training programs for staff, and develops and maintains systems to monitor the performance of staff activities. Develops policies and procedures relative to their assigned area.

• 1. One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, OR
• 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

Assignment. A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. These include, but are not limited to: 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.

Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):

• 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15 Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard GS-660 Veterans Health Administration June 7, 2012.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to distinguish basic colors with ability to distinguish shades of color. This position may require heavy lifting and carrying, 45 pounds and over. Requires routine standing, bending, and stooping/squatting . As needed - pushing, walking, standing, reaching over shoulder, use of fingers, both hands and legs required, walking and standing up to four hours per tour, near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeer 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, hearing (aid permitted).

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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
Job Title & Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & Year of Start/End dates (i.e. June 2007 to April 2008)
Indicate Full-time or Part-time status (include hours worked per week)

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.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the 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.

Applicants will be considered based on the following areas of consideration.

1. Facility Employees - Current, permanent John D. Dingell Medical Center employees (this includes Outpatient Clinics, permanent employees of the Veteran Canteen Service assigned to this facility, Office of Information & Technology employees assigned to this facility, CPAC bargaining unit employees located at the Detroit VAMC, and Virtual bargaining unit employees assigned to the facility.
2. Other VA Employees - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees (VA employees who are located at other VA medical centers).
3. Status Candidates - Current, permanent Federal employees, former Federal employees with reinstatement rights, 30% or more disabled, VRA and VEOA eligible (separated under honorable conditions after three or more years of continuous active service or preference eligible).
4. Public Applicants