LICENSED PHARMACIST (ASSOCIATE SERVICE CHIEF OPERATIONS)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, PA, seeks a GS-13 Pharmacist (Associate Service Chief) to develop and oversee inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy Services across all locations served by the Medical Center. The role emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration with academic affiliations.

Requirements include Pharm.D. or equivalent, full unrestricted licensure, U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, and relevant supervisory experience.

Qualifications

• Requires Doctor of Pharmacy and licensure to practice in a U.S. state/territory
• ACPE-accredited Pharmacy program graduate required
• English proficiency for clinical and regulatory discussions
• 1 year of experience at GS-12 level or equivalent preferred

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate and oversee inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy Services.
• Lead and supervise pharmacy staff across locations.
• Ensure readiness and collaboration with academic affiliations and clinical programs.
• Guide formulary management and pharmacovigilance activities.
• Communicate recommendations to clinical and medical staff clearly and timely.

Skills

Negotiation

Oral & written communication

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Program management

Staff supervision

Education

Pharm.D.

BS Pharmacy

Job description

This position in located at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Pharmacy Service. Incumbent is responsible for development, coordination and oversight of all inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy Services at all locations served by the Medical Center as well as maintaining academic affiliations. The role also guides ensures organization readiness and demonstrates strong strategic, supervisory and collaborative leadership.

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

GS-13 Pharmacist (Associate Service Chief)

Experience

In addition to the GS-12 requirements (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; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution.) must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to negotiate to influence clinical and management decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
• Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
• Skill in managing multiple people or programs.
• Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.

Preferred Experience

Leading and managing multiple clinical pharmacy programs, developing and improving clinical services, and guiding staff through quality, regulatory, and performance initiatives. Advance clinical experience, interpersonal skills, and proven ability to collaborate across disciplines to achieve organizational goals. Preferred but not required.

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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS- 13.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds for short periods of time. Sitting, standing and walking up to 8 hours per shift includes reaching above shoulders and repeated bending 4 hours per shift. Use of fingers and both hands and near vision is required.