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Associate Service Chief - Pharmacy Service

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Orlando VA Medical Center

Summary

Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.




Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/29/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 29, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$155,120 - $201,662 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBTC-13007742-26-SP
Control number
877901200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Please be advised this vacancy is opened to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees and current/past/upcoming VHA Healthcare Professional Trainee (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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Duties

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Functions as an Associate to the Chief of Pharmacy, responsible for coordinating multiple programs within the pharmacy service, including planning, directing, evaluating, and coordinating comprehensive Pharmacy services such as inpatient operations and inpatient clinical pharmacy. The incompent may also provide oversight of other program areas as defined by the Chief of Pharmacy within the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS). This position ensures operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and optimal resource utilization across assigned program areas, and serves as a key advisor and resource to Pharmacy Service Leadership and the Medical Center executive team.

Executive & Administrative Leadership:

  • Serves as a resource to the Chief of Pharmacy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff, and Medical Center Director on matter related to pharmacy operations, policy, and practice.
  • Represents Pharmacy Service on advisory teams, boards, and committees at the Medical Center, Health System Area (HSA), regional (VISN) and national levels as needed.
  • Serves as Acting Chief of Pharmacy in the absence of the Service Chief, assuming full responsibility for the functions and activities of all Sections and Divisions of the Pharmacy Service during that time.
  • Ensures optimum efficiency and effectiveness of numerous, complex, and integrated programs administered or overseen by Pharmacy Service.

Inpatient Pharmacy Operations Management:
  • Plans, directs, and coordinates day-to-day inpatient clinical and pharmacy operations, including medication distribution, sterile and non-sterile compounding, controlled substance management, automated dispensing systems, and 24/7 staffing coverage.
  • Established and monitors performance metrics, workflow standards, and turnaround-time benchmarks for inpatient dispensing and clinical services.
  • Ensure compliance with USP <795>, <797>, <800>, Joint commission standards, VHA directives, other applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.
  • Oversees medication safety initiatives, including error reporting, root cause analysis, and implementation of process improvements to reduce adverse drug events.
  • Coordinates inventory management, drug procurement, formulary compliance, and shortage mitigations strategies with the procurement supervisor for inpatient units.???????

Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy Program Oversight:
  • Directs and evaluates inpatient clinical pharmacy services, including pharmacist participation in interdisciplinary rounds, anticoagulation management, antimicrobial stewardship, pain management, renal/hepatic dosing, in addition to other inpatient clinical pharmacy areas.
  • Directly assists clinicians in rational drug selection by providing written and/or verbal consultation.
  • ??Verifies provider prescriptions/orders for completeness and appropriateness; screens for compatibility, patient allergies, dose adjustments, contraindications, and drug interactions.
  • Assures all prescription and orders meet proper eligibility criteria on aa patient specific basis, and the national formulary, prior authorization, criteria for use, treatment algorithms, and clinical guidelines are followed.
  • Promotes expansion of clinical initiatives within the inpatient setting.
Resource & Personnel Management:
  • Manages and optimally uses all resources entrusted to the Pharmacy Service to include budget, personnel, equipment, and space.
  • Identified when additional resources (staffing, equipment, space) are needed and navigates the request/approval process after obtaining Chief of Pharmacy approval.
  • Identifies staff continuing education and competency needs; develops and provides training opportunities to continually build and sustain practice skills.
  • Supervises, mentors, and evaluates pharmacy staff performance; participates in hiring, disciplinary actions, and professional development processes as delegated.
  • Fosters a culture of safety, accounability, teamwork, and continuous quality improvement within the Pharmacy Service.
  • Other duties as assigned


Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, Employees may be required to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and/or compressed, tours on rotating schedule. The hours may vary per the needs of the service and will rotate, on a fair and equitable basis, to include weekends and holidays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 80357F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VHAV08ORLCCOE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be 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 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.
  • English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15.
  • 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. All applicants must possess a 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.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.Associate Service Chief GS-14:
  • Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
  • Associate Service Chief/ Associate CMOP Director. Responsible for coordinating multiple programs in pharmacy service in a medical facility. Serves as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and in compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies. Responsible for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Makes selections, assigns personnel, and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential. (NOTE: Associate Service Chief/ Associate CMOP Director positions should be graded one grade below the grade of the Chief of Pharmacy Service or CMOP Director.)
  • Demonstrated KSAs. The KSAs shown below apply to all assignments at this grade level.
    1. Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
    2. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
    3. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
    4. Skill in managing multiple people or programs.
    5. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
    6. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.
References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical of the occupation. May be required to wear personal protective equipment to undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. The incumbent must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment physical to include moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), light carrying 15 lbs or less, straight pulling, reaching above the shoulder with the use of both hands and fingers, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors, which is required for this position

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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs employees who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who served our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your Country's service.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

Agency contact information

Samantha Portuondo
Phone
(727) 398-6661
Email
Samantha.Portuondo@va.gov
Address
Orlando VA Medical Center
13800 Veterans Way
Orlando, FL 32827
US

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