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

Provides for efficient continuing pharmaceutical service to outpatients and inpatients, assuring
effective and expeditious utilization of all available resources (manpower, equipment,
medication, supplies, and funds). To accomplish this, the incumbent:
1. Plans, schedules, and assigns work to subordinates based on priorities with selective consideration of the capabilities of the employee;
2. Assures proper preventive maintenance of equipment and prompt notification to responsible officials when repairs are indicated;
3. Assures that stocks of medications and supplies are available and stored properly;
4. Alerts Assistant Chief to prescribing trends promptly and inaugurates necessary procedures to assure that levels of stock are adequate to meet patient needs and that funds are utilized effectively.
5. Furnishes orientation, guidance, direction, training and supervision to pharmacy personnel in the areas assigned.
6. Insures that adequate staff is available for these areas. Is responsible for the coordination of the various programs (bulk compounding, research, education, accountability, purchasing and inventory control, storage and security of drugs and supplies, Controlled Substance, etc.)
7. Supervises the use of computer terminals and printers in assigned area. Assures that subordinates receive appropriate orientation and training before operating computer equipment. Evaluates training needs on an on-going basis. Provides additional training as necessary,. Resolves operational computer problems and relays technical problems to Computer Section. Takes necessary precautions to assure the protection and security of computer equipment, proper use of access codes and confidentiality of patients' records and privacy of data as necessary.
8. Insures compliance by subordinates of hospital policies, VA Regulations, ASHP and JCAHO Standards, and laws and procedures set forth by the Drug Enforcement Agency and other regulatory bodies. On an interchangeable basis and as required the incumbent supervises the activities of subordinate pharmacy staff.
9. The incumbent evaluates employees work performance against approved Performance Plans. Gathers data to objectively appraise employees and with input from Assistant Chief and Chief, writes performance plans for employees supervised. Makes necessary changes in performance plans as dictated by program changes and observations.
10. The incumbent recommends selections, promotions, status changes, awards, disciplinary actions and separations. The incumbent as part of management explains and gains the support of employees for management policies and goals (i.e., cost reductions, quality of services).
11. The incumbent works to achieve the objectives of government-wide personnel programs and policies (e.g., labor-management relations, and equal employment opportunity). Deals effectively with employees and union representatives on employee suggestions, complaints, grievances and other matters involved in the day-to-day administration of labor management agreements. Assures implementation of equal employment opportunity and upward mobility programs of the Program.
12. Discusses problems with various Programs with which the specific area of the pharmacy assigned interacts. Informs the Assistant Chief, Pharmacy Program of reoccurring problems with other Programs, making recommendations.
13. Assists in orientation of new employees, residents, interns, nurses, and other allied health care professionals to pharmacy policies and procedures. Assists in the implementation of new programs.
14. Responsible for prescription workload and the high diversity of medical programs and patient treatment, the many research programs, training programs, etc. contributes to the resolution of supervisory problems encountered.
15. Establish and maintain a system of continuous and systematic monitoring of all aspects of the Inpatient and Outpatient areas.
16. Sound judgement and tact must be applied when advising medical staff and other personnel on laws, policies, procedures and professional matters. The incumbent must be able to deviate from existing guidelines to insure quality patient care and use originality in solving problems.
17. He/She serves on or is a consultant to a number of important committees of the Healthcare System including the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, the Ambulatory Care Committee, the Pharmacy Nursing Committee, the Medication Utilization Evaluation Committee, and conducts bimonthly Safety Sub-Committee meetings.
18. When requested, he will interview applicants.
19. Maintains Pharmacy monthly floor inspection records, poison antidote drawers, and Crash Carts.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 14332F

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.

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.
• b. 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 1 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). c. 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
(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.

Pharmacy Supervisor. Responsible for the professional and administrative management of an assigned area in pharmacy service, to include budgetary execution. Such individuals have responsibilities for supervising multiple pharmacists and technicians. Manages people, maintains effective interdepartmental relations, and cooperates with other services to accomplish the medical facility's mission and goals. Develops performance standards, assures that the program area is compliant with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements, designs and implements orientation and training programs for staff, and develops and maintains systems to monitor the performance of staff activities. Develops policies and procedures relative to their assigned area.

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: Inpatient and scheduling experience as well as some management experience.

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

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

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.