Pharmacist - Associate Service Chief - Patient Aligned Care Team & Pharmacoeconomics

Associate Chief, Pharmacy Pact & Pharmacoeconomics

The Associate Chief, Pharmacy PACT & Pharmacoeconomics provides strategic leadership and oversight for all pharmacy operations within the medical center, including Clinical Pharmacy Practitioners (CPPs) working in Primary Care as well as the department's PE program. Responsible for personnel management, including recruitment, orientation, performance evaluation, and staff development. Also plays a key role in policy development, committee participation, and organizational planning.

Responsibilities include:

• Directs the establishment and maintenance of personnel systems, including functional statements, organizational charts, performance evaluations, and disciplinary processes for Pharmacy Service staff across PACT CPP areas.
• Ensures compliance with hybrid Title 38 performance appraisal standards and VA human resources policies.
• Promotes an inclusive, discrimination-free work environment and supports EEO/HPP programs through training and education.
• Develops and monitors key performance indicators to ensure efficient, timely and safe Veteran care within area(s) of responsibility.
• Establish educational programs within Pharmacy Service for orientation and ongoing training of staff.
• Monitor training records and credentials for staff and identify educational programs to meet patient care needs.
• Ensure integration of evidence-based guidelines into clinical decision-making, documentation templates, and formulary management.
• Support publication and dissemination of research findings to advance pharmacy practice.
• Recommend system-wide interventions to optimize pharmacotherapeutic resources and improve patient outcomes.
• Collaborate with Formulary Manager, Procurement team and ADPAC to implement PE initiatives.
• Complete Medication Use Evaluations as needed to determine effectiveness of PE initiatives.
• Support the Chief of Pharmacy during regulatory inspections and surveys such as Joint Commission, OIG, and VISN VPE.
• Develop and ensure adherence to policies, protocols, and clinical guidance documents to maintain audit readiness.
• Implement corrective actions and continuous quality improvement measures following inspection findings.
• Conduct and analyze quality assurance studies (e.g. Medication Use Evaluations, etc.) to monitor medication use, identify problem areas and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure participation in RCA, HFMEA, and other quality assurance committees as requested.
• Practice independently under an approved Scope of Practice to provide direct patient care.
• Coordinate Prior Authorization Drug Review (PADR) appeals with the P&T appeals committee.
• Complete PADRs as assigned using established Criteria for Use documents, published literature, and clinical judgement.
• Collaborate and implement long-term strategies for pharmacy services aligned with organizational goals.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and practices for potential integration into pharmacy operations.
• Lead initiatives to enhance efficiency, patient safety, and cost-effectiveness in medication management.
• Serve as a liaison between pharmacy services and medical center leadership to align goals and initiatives.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to optimize patient care.
• Represent pharmacy services on committees and task forces to influence policy and clinical standards.

Work Schedule: 7:30am-4pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 612200

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.

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).

Qualifications

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: 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.

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.

Drivers License: A valid state drivers license is required as this position requires local travel to provide site visits to the community based outpatient clinics (CBOC's) through the use of a government vehicle or other individual arrangements.

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-14 Experience: Must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-13.

GS-13 experience includes, but is not limited to: coordinating multiple programs in pharmacy service in a medical facility. Serving as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief. Developing 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. Has extensive responsibility for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Makes selections, assigns personnel, and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential.

GS-14 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
• 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: Supervisor experience, clinical/scope of practice

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

Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving, standing and pushing carts about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern for staff and patients. The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves lifting 25 pounds or less, able to visually confirm drug order correctness, and able to stand for periods of 30 minutes or greater. Must pass all required VAMC driving requirements. Incumbent must possess and maintain a current valid state drivers license.

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