Pharmacist (pharmacy supervisor)

Summary

The Supervising Pharmacist, Primary Care must be a licensed pharmacist and is accountable to the Associate Chief, Clinical Pharmacy Services as his/her assistant for providing leadership, direction, organization, planning, and implementation of pharmacy programs which promotes stewardship, patient centered care, enhances patient safety, and optimizes drug related outcomes in a cost-effective, evidence-based manner.

Duties

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

The duties and responsibilities of the Pharmacy Supervisor, include but are not limited to the following:

Administrative/Program Management:

• Oversees the implementation, monitoring, and coordination of the Primary Care Pharmacy Program.
• Responsible for management of the Primary Care pharmacist clinics at VANIHCS which includes oversight of daily operations, patient care delivery, and assuring coverage for leave and vacancies.
• Responsible for assessing the current clinical pharmacy programs in Primary Care and establish new clinical programs based on the need of the Medical Center (e.g. Women's Health, GAC, etc.) in coordination with the Associate Chief, Clinical Pharmacy Services.
• Communicates process improvement opportunities to staff and coaches staff to implement new process improvements.
• Organizes workload, directs clinical activities, plans short and long-term objectives/goals, and works toward reaching established goals within budget and staffing constraints.
• Incorporates performance improvement (PI) activities into all areas of the clinical pharmacy section under the incumbent's supervision.

Clinical:

• Maintains an active clinical practice within area of expertise which might include reviewing consults, providing direct patient care, and assuring coverage for clinical services when on leave.
• As a provider in area of clinical practice expertise, evaluates patients and monitors response to medication therapy.
• Makes changes to medication therapy within scope of practice as needed depending on assessment of appropriate laboratory and clinical monitoring.
• Also recommends patients for referral, when presenting with other medical signs and symptoms, to appropriate clinic and/or provider.
• Educates patients on their medication therapy, including but not limited to medication compliance, dietary restrictions, and patient monitoring parameters.

Education:

• Proactively provides ongoing communication related to the pharmacy programs under their supervision to professional staff via P&T meetings, Medical Staff Meetings, Pharmacy Staff Meetings and individualized meetings as appropriate.
• Maintain competency in best practice, medication management, and other areas related to the clinical area of supervision.
• Supports Chief of Pharmacy and Chief of Staff in aligning VA providers to support organizational stewardship.
• Remains up to date about modern technology, management practices, and clinical practice by reading relevant material in reputable journals and resources.
• Provides a framework for continual learning for pharmacy trainees, and employees of all levels to sustain competence and improve performance within the healthcare system.

Supervisory/Hiring Responsibility:

• Analyzes current and future workforce requirements to determine competencies and skills required.
• Works with servicing Human Resources Management Office in all steps of the recruiting and hiring process to expeditiously recruit for vacant positions and to select qualified employees, including obtaining at least two references for the selectee.
• Meets all established deadlines.
• Successfully orients/trains new hires by promptly communicating performance elements and standards within applicable timeframes, providing ongoing feedback and coaching, and making appropriate use of the probationary period to assess the employee's ability to perform.
• Establishes results-oriented plans with subordinate employees with cascaded goals within established timelines for completion.
• Conducts mid-term progress reviews with subordinate employees within established timelines for completion.
• Provides employees with feedback on performance informally on a regular basis.
• Completes and communicates performance appraisals, measured against performance standards within established timelines for completion.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The Pharmacy Supervisor and CPS, Primary Care exercises independent judgment in the practice and provision of patient/program services (clinical care, consultation, and education). The Pharmacy Supervisor and CPS, Primary Care consults with peers, the Associate Chief, Clinical Pharmacy Services and the Chief of Pharmacy Service as needed. The Pharmacy Supervisor and CPS, Primary Care cooperates with the Associate Chief, Clinical Pharmacy Services who assumes broad oversight responsibility for the structure and functioning of the program to which the Pharmacy Supervisor and CPS, Primary Care is assigned. The Associate Chief, Clinical Pharmacy Services acts as the immediate supervisor and approving official.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Eastern Standard Time

Telework:

Not Available

Virtual:

This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:

92681-O

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:

Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Not Authorized

Requirements 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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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. (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.

Grandfathering Provision:

All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-0660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

• GS-13 Pharmacy Supervisor: Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level In addition, 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 also demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): Ability to effectively supervise subordinate staff. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards pertaining to pharmacy. Skill in managing people or program.

Preferred Experience:

Strong clinical experience as a PACT CPP and demonstrated leadership experience guiding interdisciplinary teams. Candidate should be adept at mentoring and developing CPP's fostering a supportive and accountable team culture, driving performance an PACT quality metrics. The candidate should also be comfortable providing direct patient care in a primary care clinic, balancing clinical workload administrative oversight.

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:

Duties may require sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping or kneeling for extended periods of time. Ability to lift/push/pull light loads (i.e. carts weighing 40lbs or more). Ability to work in an environment that requires rapid mental and muscular coordination. Correctible to within usual range of vision, including the ability to discern color.

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 for 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. 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. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.