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Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Workflow Automation

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

This position assists the VA SLC Chief Health Informatics Officer in advancing workflow automation capabilities. Ensures that automation opportunities are identified, evaluated, and implemented to support healthcare operations and that technical knowledge is infused throughout the informatics department. The focus of this position is to optimize effectiveness of healthcare delivery processes through systematic automation of administrative and clinical tasks in support of the VHA mission & goals.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/17/2026 to 03/27/2026
Salary
$135,442 to - $176,077 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Salt Lake City, UT
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBSU-12909054-26-MC
Control number
861490100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is ONLY open to current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees under the VHA administration and to all current, or former Office of Academic Affiliation (OAA) residents/interns/fellows involved in a VA program. 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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VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

This position assists the VA SLC Chief Health Informatics Officer in advancing workflow automation capabilities. The focus of this position is to optimize effectiveness of healthcare delivery processes through systematic automation of administrative and clinical tasks in support of the VHA mission and goals. The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert for database query development and data management supporting workflow automation initiatives. As the subject matter expert in enterprise data management and workflow automation, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Workflow Automation serves as the technical lead for database-driven automation solutions within the VA SLC Clinical Informatics Service.

  • This is not an ADPAC position. This is a Health IT position in the Informatics Department that will also serve as a facility wide Informatics leader.
  • Works collaboratively with the VA SLC Chief Health Informatics Officer, VA SLC Health Administration Service (HAS), VA SLC clinical service lines, and operational leaders to identify automation opportunities, develop data-driven solutions, and implement systems that improve operational efficiency and enhance Veteran care delivery.
  • Demonstrates understanding of the VA Medical Center organizational structure, clinical workflows, and the role that health informatics and workflow automation play within the organization.
  • Adheres to established health information technology development practices using VA development platforms including version control, code repositories, documentation standards, and quality assurance procedures.
  • Develops, implements, and maintains database query solutions and internal health information technology tools using VA development platforms that streamline administrative and clinical processes.
  • Ensures the availability, usability, integrity, and security of data used in workflow automation systems.
  • Leverages state-of-the-art interoperable data tools and technologies to capture, transform, and report information that supports performance measurement and operational improvement.
  • Creates dashboards, reports, and data visualizations that capture and report performance measures to understand outcomes for Veterans and improve the quality of medical care and programs.
  • Develops and maintains comprehensive technical documentation for database objects, data flows, and system specifications to support knowledge transfer, system sustainment, and compliance with data governance policies.
  • Possesses knowledge of healthcare operations and clinical workflows to identify opportunities for automation by combining understanding of healthcare processes with expertise in health informatics and data management.
  • Develops internal health information technology solutions using VA development platforms that eliminate duplicative or non-essential processes, reduce administrative burden on clinical staff, and allow healthcare professionals to focus on direct patient care.
  • Develops SQL and database tools using VA development platforms that support workflow automation initiatives.
  • Participates in systematic testing and validation of automation solutions to ensure reliability, accuracy, and compliance with clinical and operational requirements.
  • Develops customized internal health information technology solutions using VA development platforms that query VA databases to extract, transform, and present data for workflow automation purposes.
  • Facilitates dissemination of internal health information technology solutions developed by VA SLC Clinical Informatics Service using VA development platforms to other VA sites within VISN 19 and across VHA that face similar clinical or operational challenges.
  • Troubleshoots and resolves technical issues in database queries and solutions through systematic analysis of query performance and system configurations.
  • Serves as liaison between the VA SLC Clinical Informatics Service and VA SLC Health Administration Services (HAS) regarding workflow automation projects.
  • Works collaboratively within a structured development team environment, coordinating with team members on architecture standards, coding practices, solution design, and implementation approaches.
  • Monitors utilization and performance of automation systems, identifying opportunities for enhancement and optimization.
  • Provides technical guidance and mentorship on database query development, optimization techniques, and health informatics methods.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 612100
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
  • 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 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:

GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Experience: Must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS-12. The GS-12 experience includes, but is 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.

GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
  • Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
  • Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
  • Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
  • Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Preferred Experience: Ability to design, develop, and implement database-driven solutions and internal health information technology tools using VA development platforms (SQL, stored procedures, functions) to automate administrative and clinical workflows. Completion of PGY-2 pharmacy practice residency in Pharmacy Informatics, Population Health Management and Data Analytics, or Pharmacy Outcomes/Healthcare Analytics, or equivalent experience in data analysis and management.

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

Physical Requirements: The work is usually sedentary, but it requires periods of walking, standing, bending, or climbing, and employees may carry light items such as books, instruments, laptops, and other similar materials.

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/.

Additional 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.

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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