Clarification from the agency

This job opportunity announcement is open to ALL U.S. CITIZENS. If you are a current and permanent employee of the Veterans Health Administration, please see announcement number 12904731. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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

Pharmacy Procurement Manager (Inventory Program Manager) GS-0660-13

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Program Manager manages all components of Procurement, Inventory Management, Reverse Distribution and Pharmaceutical destruction operations for VA Central/Western Massachusetts Healthcare System. This includes compliance oversight of all pharmacists, technicians, trainees, specialized nursing and other supportive personnel involved in procurement, inventory management, destruction and reverse distribution. The incumbent participates in the management of a multi-million dollar budget for inventory management of pharmaceuticals and supplies. Cost effective turnover of inventory must be consistently identified through sound accounting practices. Fluctuating patient needs, specific specialties, drug shortages, back orders and drug recalls makes this a very demanding task. The incumbent will supervise the pharmacy procurement technicians and provide guidance to all pharmacy staff. The incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing appropriate procedures, overseeing compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards and ensuring competency of procurement personnel. The Program Manager is responsible for the development, organization and management of all aspects of the pharmacoeconomic program and to ensure that the Pharmacy Service is in compliance of all applicable laws and regulations regarding this practice (i.e. Federal, VHA and local acquisition regulations for VA Central/Western Massachusetts Healthcare System). The Program Manager must also have working knowledge of and skills utilizing the Electronic Health Record including CPRS, VISTA and software commonly used by service personnel such as Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor software, and Microsoft Products. The Program Manager works closely with other services that may be involved with or impacted by pharmacy procurement and Pharmacoeconomics, including (but not limited to) logistics, fiscal, contracting, environmental management, primary care and medical service. Work will require juggling multiple projects simultaneously and being able to continuously reprioritize work based on the needs of the organization.

Work assignments will be broad and complex due to their interdisciplinary nature and coordination throughout the facility. The incumbent must possess knowledge, skill, and flexibility to be assigned interchangeably with the supervisors of the other sections of the Pharmacy Service for training or other purposes, as required. The incumbent is often required to utilize unique and innovative approaches to solve specific problems and is required to perform a variety of duties involving a broad range of activities and depth of analysis.

The Inventory 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 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. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following 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.

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 dentification 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.

• 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.

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• 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: 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.

• Utilize strict accounting practices to maintain an accurate budget. Providing upper management with quarterly, monthly, and often daily updates on budget status. Maintain sufficient inventory for the needs of the Medical Center, yet not exceeding budget allowance.
• Incumbent presents upper management on a routine basis: expenditure reports, cost analysis, stock usage, budget forecast, drug shortages, drug recalls and new product cost impact.
• Incumbent is a purchase card holder and complies with all the acquisition regulations, both Federal, VA and local to include small business and mandatory sources. Makes individual purchases not to exceed maximum (i.e. $10,000) unless specifically authorized to do so by Organization Program Coordinator (authorizing official) Manager. Reconciles purchase card charges within the established time limits. The standard for reconciliations is 75% of charges have been reconciled within 10 calendar days after the charge (payment) information is delivered locally to IFCAP, 95% of the payments are matched within 17 days and 100% reconciled within 30 days. It is recommended to have all charges reconciled within the first 10 days. Resolves disputes of unknown or incorrect charges also within the established time limits. Cardholder must leave all charges reconciled prior to taking annual leave or traveling for more than 7 calendar days. Provides approving official with all pertinent purchase card documents for approval by the same and maintains documentation as required for 6 years and 3 months. Inputs orders into the IFCAP Purchase Card Menu, prior to purchase or within one workday of purchase.

• Counsels patients and family members concerning directions for use, side effects, precautions, and the need to strictly follow the regimen.
• Monitors patient profiles and ensures contained information is correct and up to date, including any history of drug interactions.
• Provides consultation to MD's, DO's, DPM's, OD's, PA's, NP's and other health professionals on basic information about drug therapy.
• Makes suggestions to aid in the selection of substitute medication when those requested are not available or when a more cost-effective approach appears appropriate.

• Performs all pharmacy distributive functions according to the VHA and local policies to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services in a timely fashion to meet the needs of patients and medical center staff.

• Creates an environment to stimulate, encourage and support the participation of pharmacy personnel in providing drug information to the hospital staff and other facilities as deemed appropriate.
• Completes all mandatory training as required by local, VISN and national mandates within established timeframes and submits documentation of training to the Pharmacy Service Administrative Officer. Assures timely completion of all internally assigned employee education modules.
• Educates medical staff regarding formulary management, approved clinical guidelines and the cost-efficient use of drugs. Education is provided through in-services and one-on-one encounters. Where possible, uses before and after data to assess the impact of these educational interventions.

• The Program Manager will maintain the security of the Pharmacy, making sure that only Pharmacy employees, residents, volunteers, students, or other authorized VA employees are allowed access into the Pharmacy areas.

• Preferred candidates will have experience with pharmacy supply chain management and inventory control, leadership skills, financial oversight, and knowledge of regulatory compliance. Candidates should possess strong communication and analytical abilities. Prior management experience is also preferred.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• Transcript

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• *Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.*
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps