Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Applicants will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent Facility employees. 2. Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees. 3. Current permanent employees of other Federal agencies.

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• Supervises and coordinates daily operations of the Outpatient Pharmacy, ensuring efficient, safe, and compliant distributive services.
• Plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews work for pharmacists and technicians, adjusting staffing based on workload demands.
• Oversees controlled substance management and ensures full compliance with VA, DEA, and regulatory security requirements.
• Maintains and optimizes pharmacy automation and equipment to support accurate and efficient medication distribution.
• Ensures accurate interpretation, verification, preparation, compounding, and dispensing of medications in accordance with standards.
• Monitors workflow processes and maintains effective systems for accurate dispensing, documentation, and record keeping.
• Develops, updates, and enforces pharmacy policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.
• Leads performance improvement, quality assurance, and system redesign initiatives, including audits and accuracy reviews.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards, including USP 797, Joint Commission, and VA policies.
• Coordinates procurement and inventory management to maintain adequate stock levels and manage drug recalls.
• Provides direct pharmaceutical care, including order verification, patient counseling, and medication-related interventions.
• Maintains accurate documentation in the electronic health record consistent with medical and regulatory requirements.
• Recruits, trains, evaluates, and mentors staff; conducts performance reviews; and recommends personnel actions such as promotions or disciplinary measures.
• Communicates effectively with pharmacy leadership and clinical partners regarding operational, clinical, or administrative issues.
• Performs administrative decision-making in the absence of higher-level pharmacy leadership and fulfills other duties as assigned, including irregular shifts or emergency call-backs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 80784-F
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 identification 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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/. (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 2 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.

Grade Determinations:
GS-13, Pharmacy Supervisor

Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. 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.

Preferred Experience: Demonstrated experience in outpatient or ambulatory care pharmacy operations, including workflow optimization, staffing coordination, and regulatory compliance. Experience leading or mentoring pharmacy staff, implementing quality-improvement initiatives, and utilizing pharmacy informatics systems is highly valued. A strong track record of effective communication, problem-solving, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams is preferred, along with the ability to support patient-centered service delivery in a fast-paced environment.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/.

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

Physical Requirements: Light lifting & carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, and hearing (aid may be 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, 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.