Clarification from the agency

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

Videos

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

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Exhibits initiative and resourcefulness in managing pharmacy service line and assigned workload.

1. Responsible for the overall operation and scope of pharmacy activities performed in their service.
2. Exhibits initiative and resourcefulness in managing time and workload, both personal and clinic staff. Communicates all issues to their supervisor in a timely manner.
3. Consistently works in an organized efficient manner to meet deadlines and changing priorities.
4. Independently identifies and resolves clinical and administrative problems that occur in their service.
5. Assists in the identification, development and implementation new programs or services in their area of practice.
6. Consults with and effectively communicates across service lines regarding clinical and/or administrative problems identified in their service.
7. Responsible for developing and maintaining policies and procedures, SOPsand evidence-based treatment protocols for their service.
8. Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutics and the formulary.

Provides high quality, patient centric care using evidence-based medicine to ensure safe, effective and efficient medication therapy.

1. 1. Efficiently and effective identifies and prioritizes the patient's pharmaceutical problems and initiates and executes evidence-based pharmacotherapeutic regimens and corresponding monitoring plans.
   2. Orders, reviews and interprets appropriate laboratory tests and other studies necessary to monitor, support and modify the patient's medication therapy.
   3. Orders, performs and interprets the physical measurements necessary to necessary to monitor, support and modify the patient's medication therapy.
   4. Identifies the need for and orders consults necessary to monitor, support and modify the patient's medication therapy.
   5. Maintains working knowledge of applicable medication criteria for use. Applies knowledge to direct appropriate medication therapy and adjudicate non-formulary medication requests according to scope of practice.

Exhibits the interpersonal skills and professionalism necessary to achieve the VHA's vision.

1. 1. Routinely identifies the customer's/patient's situation properly and consistently resolves the problem accurately and in a timely manner. Follows-up, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
   2. Displays the interpersonal skills to function effectively and professionally within a team environment. Willingly complies with team decisions to promote a consistent customer service experience across the continuum of care.
   3. Interacts with co-workers and supervisors in a way that promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment.
   4. Exhibits the ability to confidently communicate (orally/written) in a manner that will persuade or influence decisions.
   5. Approaches conflict and disagreement positively with an open mind. Solicits ideas and opinions to help encourage shared decision making, resolve conflict and achieve goals.

Incorporates the VHA mission, vision and goals into own priorities and practice.

1. 1. Understands and performs consistent with the mission, vision and values of the department and the organization.
   2. Efficiently uses VHA resources and identifies innovative ways provide fiscally responsible patient care.
   3. Attains the indicated goals for all assigned quality and clinical metrics.
   4. Completes all mandatory education and annual competencies by assigned deadline.
   5. Complies with all Pharmacy Service and Medical Center policies and procedures as they relate to pharmacy security, professional conduct, Infection Control, EOC, etc.

Maintains current, comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based practices, and actively pursues opportunities for continuous professional development.

1. 1. Responsible for keeping abreast of changes in the pharmacy department and maintains an appropriate knowledge of VHA, DEA, FDA, OIG, TJC and other pharmacy regulations, policies and procedures.
   2. Maintain current, comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based practices.
   3. Assumes responsibility for personal and professional development. Recognizes personal strengths and weaknesses, and actively pursues opportunities for continuous personal/professional growth.
   4. Assesses the educational needs of medical center staff and provides appropriate and timely formal/informal education on an ongoing basis.
   5. Actively participates in VHA or Medical Center committees or work groups.

Work Schedule: 8am -4:30 pm M-F, 4 weekends/yr rotating holidays
Telework: potentially adhoc per agency policy
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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

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.

Candidates must meet the Basic Requirements and the Grade Determinations below:

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

Grade Determinations - GS-660-13:

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

(b) 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.

Facility Program Manager.

Manages all aspects of a distinct program to include policy development, quality resources and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize cost effectiveness (budget) and patient outcomes. Coordinates a single program area of a complex pharmacy operation, or multiple program areas within a facility to develop, organize, manage, and control complex pharmacy programs. Develops, organizes, coordinates and manages 6 single or multiple program areas within the medical facility; this may include a single program area at multiple facilities. The Program Manager title is reserved for those individuals who have one or more of the following: supervisory responsibilities for various sections within Pharmacy Service; a complex program requiring coordination of multiple locations such as medical center care facilities, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), rural health, telemedicine, etc; specialized areas of a complex nature such as nuclear pharmacy, quality assurance, pharmacy informatics, clinical applications coordinator, Home Based Primary Care, pharmacoeconomist or liaison pharmacist duties requiring the coordination of processes with other medical facilities or VISNs. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the KSAs identified in subparagraph 3b(3)(b)1 which are listed below:

Additionally, you must also demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
3. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
5. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Preferred Experience: Completion of PGY-1.

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

References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard. This can be found at your local human resources office.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking within KCVA medical center, KCVA off-site locations and non-VA community care offices/facilities. Additionally, occasional lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies may be required, and bending, stooping or stretching.

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.