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Chief, Pharmacy Service

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

The Chief, Pharmacy will plan, direct, and coordinate comprehensive pharmacy activities at the White City VA Medical Center and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). He/She is responsible for operations for all facets of inpatient, outpatient, and clinical programs and provides support to all medical programs offered at VA SORCC.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/03/2026 to 02/10/2026
Salary
$148,275 to - $192,764 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
White City, OR
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBSV-12876228-26-AJ
Control number
856396400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties

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The Chief, Pharmacy will be a licensed pharmacist with a Pharm.D. and with previous management experience. Work experience and management experience in a variety of settings (outpatient pharmacy, clinical pharmacy is preferred. Advanced degree in public health (MPH) or business administration (MBA) is preferred.

The Pharmacy Service offers a full range of pharmaceutical and clinical services including but not limited to: decentralized unit dose dispensing, outpatient anticoagulation services, and will support future expansions of services as strategically appropriate. VA SORCC also serves as a major rotation site for pharmacy students from the local schools of pharmacy and has an ASHP accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency program.

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE

  • Leadership & Oversight: Directs all pharmacy operations and supervises staff, including pharmacists, technicians, and clerical personnel. Ensures compliance with VA, DEA, and station policies.
  • Strategic Planning: Develops long- and short-term goals aligned with medical center objectives. Maintains action plans and prioritizes goals to achieve results.
  • Budget & Resource Management: Prepares and justifies annual budgets for medications, supplies, equipment, and personnel. Monitors inventory levels and ensures timely distribution of pharmacy supplies.
  • Staffing & Development: Recruits and selects personnel in collaboration with HR. Promotes professional development, evaluates performance, and addresses disciplinary issues. Fosters a positive work environment and rewards excellence.
  • Operational Efficiency: Coordinates work schedules to ensure coverage and productivity. Implement policies and procedures for safe and efficient compounding and dispensing of medications.
  • Compliance & Quality Assurance: Maintains regulatory compliance and oversees inspections of ward and clinic drug stocks. Develop operational policies to ensure quality and safety.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Serves on medical center committees and works with other services to achieve organizational goals. Provides guidance to supervisors and staff on problemsolving and adapting to changes.
  • Performance Monitoring: Analyzes workload and productivity data, reporting metrics as required. Drives continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Coordinates all professional and clinical aspects of the Pharmaceutical Care program and ensures continued accreditation of the Pharmacy Practice Residency. Promotes staff engagement in patient care activities, including medication record reviews, counseling, chart reviews, clinical huddles, and continuing education.
  • Develops new clinical programs, maintains quality patient care, and conducts medication usage evaluations through performance improvement initiatives. Serves on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, ensuring formulary maintenance and timely distribution of therapeutic agents. Provides comprehensive drug information and guidance to clinical staff and supports continuous improvement of strategic goals and committee measures.
  • Evaluates supervisors on equal opportunity compliance and identifies training needs. Contributes to EEO, Affirmative Action, and career development programs. Establishes performance improvement initiatives consistent with JCAHO, VACO, and QM standards.
  • Fosters a culture of Total Quality Improvement and teamwork to enhance service quality, morale, and productivity. Provides orientation for inspecting officials and clinical staff on drug accountability procedures. Coordinates with the Drug Dependence Treatment Unit to support program goals.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630
Telework:Ad-Hoc as needed.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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).

Qualifications

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
(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/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.)

(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.
  • English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
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-14

(a) Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Assignments. Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. . For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Service Chief. Individual is assigned as Chief at Facility Complexity Level 2 or 3 medical facility but assignment does not have the high level of complexity to support a GS-15 grade as defined in paragraph (5)(b) below. Responsible for all aspects of pharmacy services at a medical facility by maintaining effective interdepartmental relationships, demonstrating active problem resolution skills and close cooperation with other programs and services in accomplishing the medical facility mission and goals. Responsible for budget management, determining resource needs, allocating resources, ensuring proper utilization in productivity, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the operation. Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long term interest of the organization, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks. Responsible for compliance with all safety, regulatory, and accrediting body requirements. Delegates authority to several supervisory and program levels to meet the goals of the service and staff. Ensures orientation and training programs are established to ensure staff development, oversees academic affiliations, and participates in medical facility, VISN, National, other external governmental agencies, and professional associations.

Demonstrated KSAs.
  1. Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
  2. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
  3. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
  4. Skill in managing multiple and diverse people or programs.
  5. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
  6. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.
Preferred Experience: Documented clinical care and management responsibilities across care settings. An advanced degree in public health or business administration is preferred.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 PART II APPENDIX G15.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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.

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