Clarification from the agency

This announcement is limited to current permanent employees of the VA Sioux Falls Health Care System, current permanent VA Nationwide employees, and past/current/upcoming VHA HPT Graduates. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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A. Pharmacy Informatics

1. Performs analytical and evaluative work associated with program activities of the Pharmacy Service.
2. Organizes and develops information upon which Pharmacy Service leadership can make effective data-driven decisions to anticipate and meet pharmaceutical needs of customers and goals of the facility and network.
3. Responsible for coordination, development, and implementation of all pertinent information applications to support clinical practice, administration, educational development, and the computerized medical record in the Pharmacy Service.
4. Serves as a subject matter expert on EHR and on joint federal Pharmacy systems operations at a local, VISN, and national level.
5. Manages or consults on the following pharmacy-related software areas.
6. Monitors Pharmacy computer programs and tests changes and updates, as appropriate. Assists with external proficiency testing programs.
7. Works with Pharmacy Management to revise/update policies and procedures relative to pharmacy information systems and automation technology.
8. Assists with Help Desk ticket submissions and coordinates required maintenance and repairs of Pharmacy automation (Omnicell, ScriptPro, etc.).
9. Plans and supervises the execution of new equipment purchases and rollout including education and training.
10. Coordinates hardware and software installations and upgrades.
11. Runs reports related to Pharmacy Information Systems and resolves issues, and reports results before any applicable deadlines.
12. Develops, updates and maintains ADP-related emergency contingency plans required by the medical center.
13. Maintains all software packages and pharmacy applications. Works with OI&T and other clinical services to resolve problems and communicates with Pharmacy Management regarding system issues and impact on services provided.
14. Arranges access to electronic systems via the Electronic Permission Access System (ePAS) for all pharmacy employees.
15. Oversees and manages the placement of new VA providers and non-VA providers into appropriate provider files.
16. Maintains pharmacy drug files for optimum function of pharmacy packages and other related facility packages ensuring uniform format and data accuracy.
17. Serves as department trainer for VA employees as necessary on Automatic Dispensing Systems (ADS) or other systems involved in medication distribution.

B. Ticket Expert/Solutions

1. Serves as a subject matter expert on Pharmacy processing applications. Places and manages all work orders/tickets associated with the EHR. Work order/ticket scope will include those directly under the Pharmacy Service as well as domains related to medication safety and medication ordering with downstream impact to Pharmacy.
2. Receives and triages reports of Pharmacy-related EHR issues and routes to the appropriate pathway for resolution.
3. Manages all work orders/tickets placed for Pharmacy-related EHR issues and tracks/traces through to completion.
4. Captures and reports out work order/ticket data and metrics.

C. Clinical and Dispensing

1. Follows the responsibilities and performs the duties defined for an outpatient clinical pharmacist to ensure the safe and appropriate use of medications and be an advocate of rational medication therapy.
2. Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, dosage, route of administration, and quantity prior to dispensing.
3. Provides medication education to patients, including but not limited to, any changes made in the current medication regimen.
4. Monitors and reports drug errors, adverse drug events, near misses, allergies, and patient adherence issues. Documents findings per facility procedures.
5. Evaluates and completes non-formulary and prior authorization medication requests as assigned.

D. Drug Information

1. Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and adherence to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, and students.
2. Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers.
3. Implements P&T Committee policies including therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions to include appropriate patient and provider education.

E. Education

1. Prepares and presents educational material (e.g., handouts, outlines, flow sheets, lectures) to physicians, pharmacy employees, nurses, and other allied health professionals and assists with medical center instruction on the software or systems.
2. Serves as the Pharmacy training coordinator for the facility New Provider Orientation classes.
3. Serves as training coordinator for Pharmacy Service by training and orientating new pharmacists and supportive personnel.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm
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

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

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 appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• 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.
  • NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.

GS-13 Facility Program Manager Grade Determinations:

• Experience. You must have 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Equivalent experience includes: Handling routine medication-related activities including, but 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; and providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution.

AND

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. You must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
  • 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.

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package.

References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G-15; EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/07/2012; LICENSED PHARMACIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD; GS-0660.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility
2. All other VA employees and past/current/upcoming VHA HPT Graduates

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.