Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager) in New York, New York
Summary The Pharmacy (Facility Program Manager) is responsible for developing and managing technology-based solutions which promote safe, effective, and optimal use of medications within the New York Harbor VA Medical Center. The incumbent has a diverse understanding of pharmacy operations, clinical practice, formulary and economic oversight, healthcare standards and regulations, and the application of data and information technology to improve the overall medication use process. Responsibilities The applicant requires the ability to apply a unique combination of pharmacist and informatics related knowledge and skills in order to successfully plan, implement and manage existing and future specialized pharmacy service automated data processing (ADP) applications. These include software programs for outpatient prescription dispensing, ward stock distribution, unit dose, IV admixture, narcotic dispensing, CPRS, BCMA, pharmacy procurement activities, automatic dispensing machines, inventory control and office automation/administration. The incumbent is responsible for gathering, compiling, assessing for accuracy, correcting, and reporting data including pharmacy costs, workload data and other patient care data. The incumbent is an important liaison between Pharmacy Service, Clinical Applications Coordinators, and the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T). The app coordinates with Information Technology staff, and other application coordinators to implement integrated packages, resolve conflicts, provide secondary support on related software modules, and ensure smooth operations in areas where package scope overlaps or is integrated with other services' function. The incumbent performs process improvement, quality assurance and administrative functions as requested that are inclusive of proposals for improvements to or the expansion of clinical and operational pharmacy services. The applicant serves on committees as assigned. The incumbent is also responsible for coordinating and providing expert training to pharmacy residents and staff on existing and new software applications. The incumbent works collaboratively with pharmacy managers and other healthcare disciplines to develop and implement local, VISN and National initiatives to improve patient care and cost efficiency. The incumbent is expected to maintain general knowledge of current therapeutic diseases state management practices, VA, DEA and TJC regulations as well as to keep abreast of changes within the pharmacy service. Additionally, the incumbent of this position is responsible for pharmacoeconomic program development, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Programs and program activities shall focus on: pharmaceutical formulary selection, formulary implementation, medication conversions, Medication Usage Evaluations, Medication therapy pathway assessments (economic and clinical), patient health outcomes, health-related quality of life assessments, medical education and information communication. The incumbent develops and coordinates pharmacy and Health Care System activities directed at the containment and reduction of drug therapy costs. Particular emphasis is to be on providing the most appropriate, safe, and cost-effective medication therapy to patients. This pharmacist will work collaboratively with the Chief of Pharmacy, Associate Chief for Clinical Pharmacy Service, Pharmacy Supervisors, the Logistics Pharmacist and other health professionals as appropriate to continually review and implement cost effective use of medications. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24992-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. 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). 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: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, candidates must meet the following requirements. GS-13 Experience/ Education. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm D. program and 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience includes but is not limited to; Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice; communicating orally and in writing to both patients and healthcare staff; knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security; and skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Assignments. 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAS). Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. 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: The work is mainly sedentary but may require walking, bending, standing, and/or carry of light items such as paper, files, and manuals. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.