Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Areas of Consideration - Applicants will be considered based on the following areas of consideration. • First Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current, permanent VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System employees • Second Area of Consideration (Other VA Employees) - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees.

Videos

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

SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF PRACTICE
A. Clinical
(1) Provides drug and formulary information to external and internal pharmacy customers.
(2) Collaborates with Associate Chief of Outpatient Pharmacy Services and Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy Services to develop and implement expanded clinical functions for outpatient pharmacists.
B. Administration and Supervision
(1) Provides first level administrative supervision of pharmacists, technicians, students and volunteers assigned to the Outpatient Pharmacy.
(2) Supervises and manages the daily operations of the outpatient pharmacy, including responsibility for accuracy and timeliness of window and mail prescription processing, repackaging, compounding, patient/employee education, pharmacy quality improvement initiatives, risk management and promotion of an efficient, nurturing, safe and secure work environment.
(3) Supervises and manages maintenance and operation of prescription processing automation and prescription filling robot. This requires detailed knowledge and comprehension of pharmacy software, and operational details of the robot.
(4) Works with the Chief and Associate Chiefs of Pharmacy to develop, enhance, and enforce Pharmacy Service and Medical Center Policies and Procedures to ensure quality control, cost containment, security, drug accountability, and general good pharmacy practice.
(5) Ensures compliance with all DEA, FDA, JC, VHA and VISN standards, regulations and policies.
(6) Plans, organizes, schedules and controls workload and staffing in the Outpatient Pharmacy including certification of posted time for section employees.
(7) Reviews pharmacy needs to determine equipment, space, and human resources necessary to accomplish workload. Insures that adequate stock control processes are in place and routinely assessed.
(8) Develops, reviews, and maintains policies and procedures pertinent to operations within the section.
(9) Interviews prospective employees, conducts performance reviews and competency assessments, recommends appointments, special advances, within-grade increases or disciplinary action to the Professional Standards Board or Chief of Pharmacy, as appropriate.
(10) Provides reports for Pharmacy management as requested in an accurate and timely manner.
(11) Represents Pharmacy Service in Ambulatory Care related medical center and VISN committees and work groups.
(12) The diversity found in the responsibilities of the Outpatient Pharmacy Section creates an unusual complexity of administrative problems in the management, supervision and operation of the section - such as defining policies, developing procedures; planning numbers and types of personnel; space and equipment required to meet demands. Professional personnel must be of a caliber which will enable them to competently perform in technical, practice, and teaching arenas.
(13) The incumbent is responsible for integrating the functions of the Outpatient Pharmacy into the total hospital administrative and professional programs. S/He effects efficient utilization of personnel and resources, vigorously supports management by furnishing data and/or reports of recurring and non-recurring nature.
(14) Recruits, develops and retains a diverse high-quality workforce to include the hiring of qualified minorities, women, and disabled candidates. Personally supports the EEO program and Special Emphasis events and encourages employees to attend and participate in EEO/diversity activities as well. Demonstrates a good faith effort to informally resolve disputes and/or EEO complaints at the earliest stage possible encouraging the use of the mediation process as appropriate. Assures the workplace does not permit discriminatory practices, sexual harassment, or a hostile environment. Ensures that all employees complete all mandatory EEO training.

Work Schedule: Mon/Tue/Thurs: 12-20:30; Wed/Fri: 10-18:30 with rotating holidays
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91905-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN10HREDRPSLRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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.
• 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 dentification 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 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: 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).

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
Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part 2, Appendix G15.

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

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing at least 50 lbs., and bending/stooping. Incumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position.

Grandfathering Provision: 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). All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions:(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.3) If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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, 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.

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

• First Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current, permanent VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 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 Cleveland VAMC, and Virtual CBOPC bargaining unit employees under station 541 located at the Cleveland VAMC.
• Second Area of Consideration (Other VA Employees) - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees (VA employees who are located at other VA medical centers).

• Third Area of Consideration - All other qualified US citizens.

• Current, permanent employees of other Federal agencies.

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.