Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to all current, permanent Federal employees and the all US Citizens.

Major duties include, but not limited to:
Administrative:
(1) Furnishes administrative and technical supervision to GS-12 pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy aides, and other supportive personnel assigned to the Inpatient Section. Schedules workload and integrates the work of the inpatient area with the overall pharmacy program. Maintains stock control and ensures that drug stocks are on hand in sufficient quantities to meet demand.

(2) Ensures periodic inspection of drug storage areas in all areas of the medical center in accordance with JCAHO and other medical center requirements or directives. Participates actively in pharmacy quality assurance activities by providing data for Drug Use Evaluations (DUE) and controlling the quality of inpatient pharmacy services. Performs reviews of inpatient quality functions in accordance with pharmacy quality assurance procedures and submits written status reports. Takes whatever action is necessary to correct problems as they are identified.

(3) Ensures the timely performance of a satisfactory quantity of work by inpatient pharmacy section personnel. Responsible for the quality of all work performed within inpatient pharmacy section and/or other work areas assigned to the supervisor. This includes, but is not limited to,
(a) Assuring that trained personnel are in place to manufacture IV's and parenteral nutrition.
(b) Planning, setting, priorities, and scheduling necessary staff for the completion of the work
(c) Making assignments based on priorities of work and considering the capabilities of the individual employees
(d) Evaluating the performance of assigned personnel
(e) Giving advice, counseling, or instructing employees on both administrative and work-related matters

(4) The Incumbent is responsible for the completion of the environmental aspect/impact analysis in collaboration with the GEMS Coordinator, for effective implementation of the operational strategies developed through the GEMS program to ensure regulatory compliance, and for improving environmental performance within his (her) service. Also, shall consider environmentally preferable and recycled products in all purchasing decisions.

Clinical
(1) Incumbent supervises and is responsible for providing the proper and timely medications to inpatients. Assures in an accurate and timely manner that employees involved in medication distribution are properly trained and comply with all applicable regulations.
(2) Incumbent supervises and is responsible for counseling inpatients being discharged from the medical center. Assures that proper documentation is maintained to comply with JCAHO requirements.
(3) Incumbent supervises the activities of all pharmacists assigned to the central pharmacy inpatient section. Provides guidance for pharmacists assigned to the inpatient area regarding inpatient medication orders, formulary drugs, and other matters.
(4) Incumbent resolves patient complaints by personally talking with the patient, patient representative, or medical personnel. Works closely with the staff of state veteran service officers, social workers, and others.
(5) Incumbent maintains a quality assurance program to monitor inpatient pharmacy services.
(6) Incumbent consults with physicians, nurses, and patients on the chemical and physical properties and the physiological, pharmacological, and therapeutic actions of the full range of drugs.

Research and Teaching
(1) Participates in research programs requiring the administration of drugs, including providing the drug, information concerning the drug dosage, actions, side effects, etc.
(2) Provides or coordinates in-service programs on drugs and drug therapy to pharmacists and other medical center personnel. Gives guidance and instruction to pharmacy technicians

PATIENT SAFETY: The incumbent will be responsible for promoting a culture of safety and will fully cooperate in efforts to improve patient safety and eradicate potential events including the reporting of events resulting in actual or potential injury to a patient. Incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of the reporting procedures involving safety issues relating to patients.

Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630; weekends/holidays
Telework: Adhoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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

• Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Assignment. 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 demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • a. Ability to effectively supervise subordinate staff.
  • b. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
  • c. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards pertaining to pharmacy.
  • d. Skill in managing people or programs.

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

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps