Summary

The primary function of Program Management Pharmacist (Critical Equipment/Automation) is to provide the technical expertise and oversight necessary to develop and coordinate the safe - accurate - timely and reliable medication distribution occurring through CMOP designated critical production equipment. This includes establishing and maintaining effective quality assurance and performance improvement parameters and measures to optimize automated prescription processing/dispensing.

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. To qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below:

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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard (June 7 - 2012) 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-660 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 for employment in paragraph 2 - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-13 Grade Determinations: Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements - must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: a
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions
• b
• Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area
• c
• Ability to solve problems - coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise
• d
• Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy
• e
• Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies - including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters
• 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
• 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: Physical demands of the position require regular and recurring physical exertion - involving standing for prolonged periods of time - lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies
• The job may include significant time at a computer terminal.

Duties

• Duties may include but are not limited to: Develops acceptance criteria and coordinates installation and acceptance testing for new technologies
• Develops reports and establishes performance metrics for automation/critical equipment - performs focused evaluation of pertinent data - identifies - trends - and ensures completion of corrective actions when indicated
• Manages performance of the automation/critical equipment dispensing - verification and packaging equipment - communicates issues - progress and status to the Supervisory Pharmacist lo ensure optimal performance - safety - reliability and workflow
• Provides leadership - accesses competency - and provides training as indicated for individuals working with the automation/critical equipment - including establishing guidelines for performance - reviewing accuracy - quality and efficiency of general workflow
• Develops policies - procedures - training guidelines and competency assessment tools for the proper use and maintenance of automation/critical equipment dispensing - verification and packing technologies and updates based on periodic review - equipment modifications or internal process changes
• Ensures the timeliness - safety and accuracy of order fulfillment through automated/critical equipment dispensing systems utilizing appropriate monitors
• Diagnoses problems and coordinates the resolution of automation/critical equipment - dispensing - verification and packing technologies
• Analyzes throughput efficiency and system operations data and implements changes based on performance improvement criteria
• Leads performance improvement initiatives involving dispensing systems and conducts routine audits to monitor for compliance with local and national policies
• Provides quality assurance for replenishment activities of pharmacy technicians for automated dispensing equipment
• Participates in coordination of inventory reduction/procurement in an effort to meet CMOP initiatives
• Systematically collects and evaluates quality assurance and/or performance data to ensure optimal system functionality
• Evaluates work performance of subordinates
• Provides advice - counsel and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 2:30pm to 11:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 70060A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized