Associate Service Chief Pharmacy Service

Functions as an Associate to the Chief of Pharmacy responsible for coordinating multiple programs within the pharmacy service including planning directing evaluating and coordinating comprehensive Pharmacy services such as inpatient operations and inpatient clinical pharmacy. The incumbent may also provide oversight of other program areas as defined by the Chief of Pharmacy within the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS). This position ensures operational efficiency customer satisfaction regulatory compliance and optimal resource utilization across assigned program areas and serves as a key advisor and resource to Pharmacy Service Leadership and the Medical Center executive team.

Executive & Administrative Leadership:

• Serves as a resource to the Chief of Pharmacy Deputy Chief of Staff Chief of Staff and Medical Center Director on matters related to pharmacy operations policy and practice.
• Represents Pharmacy Service on advisory teams boards and committees at the Medical Center Health System Area (HSA) regional (VISN) and national levels as needed.
• Serves as Acting Chief of Pharmacy in the absence of the Service Chief assuming full responsibility for the functions and activities of all Sections and Divisions of the Pharmacy Service during that time.
• Ensures optimum efficiency and effectiveness of numerous complex and integrated programs administered or overseen by Pharmacy Service.

Inpatient Pharmacy Operations Management:

• Plans directs and coordinates day-to-day inpatient clinical and pharmacy operations including medication distribution sterile and non-sterile compounding controlled substance management automated dispensing systems and 24/7 staffing coverage.
• Established and monitors performance metrics workflow standards and turnaround-time benchmarks for inpatient dispensing and clinical services.
• Ensure compliance with USP <795> <797> <800> Joint commission standards VHA directives other applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Oversees medication safety initiatives including error reporting root cause analysis and implementation of process improvements to reduce adverse drug events.
• Coordinates inventory management drug procurement formulary compliance and shortage mitigations strategies with the procurement supervisor for inpatient units.

Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy Program Oversight:

• Directs and evaluates inpatient clinical pharmacy services including pharmacist participation in interdisciplinary rounds anticoagulation management antimicrobial stewardship pain management renal/hepatic dosing in addition to other inpatient clinical pharmacy areas.
• Directly assists clinicians in rational drug selection by providing written and/or verbal consultation.
• Verifies provider prescriptions/orders for completeness and appropriateness; screens for compatibility patient allergies dose adjustments contraindications and drug interactions.
• Assures all prescription and orders meet proper eligibility criteria on aa patient specific basis and the national formulary prior authorization criteria for use treatment algorithms and clinical guidelines are followed.
• Promotes expansion of clinical initiatives within the inpatient setting.

Resource & Personnel Management:

• Manages and optimally uses all resources entrusted to the Pharmacy Service to include budget personnel equipment and space.
• Identified when additional resources (staffing equipment space) are needed and navigates the request/approval process after obtaining Chief of Pharmacy approval.
• Identifies staff continuing education and competency needs; develops and provides training opportunities to continually build and sustain practice skills.
• Supervises mentors and evaluates pharmacy staff performance; participates in hiring disciplinary actions and professional development processes as delegated.
• Fosters a culture of safety accounability teamwork and continuous quality improvement within the Pharmacy Service.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am to 5:30pm Employees may be required to work days evenings nights weekends and holidays and/or compressed tours on rotating schedule. The hours may vary per the needs of the service and will rotate on a fair and equitable basis to include weekends and holidays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 80357F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be Authorized

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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 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.

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 in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G15.
• 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: or through their Web site at: (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. All applicants must possess a 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment above the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.Associate Service Chief GS-14:

• Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Associate Service Chief/ Associate CMOP Director. Responsible for coordinating multiple programs in pharmacy service in a medical facility. Serves as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief. Develops 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. Responsible for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Makes selections assigns personnel and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential. (NOTE: Associate Service Chief/ Associate CMOP Director positions should be graded one grade below the grade of the Chief of Pharmacy Service or CMOP Director.)
• Demonstrated KSAs. The KSAs shown below apply to all assignments at this grade level.
  1. Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
  2. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
  3. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
  4. Skill in managing multiple people or programs.
  5. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
  6. Ability to plan organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.

Applicants who have previous supervisory experience and/or completion of a PGY2 in Administration and experience in both clinical and/or inpatient operations are highly preferred.

References: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical of the occupation. May be required to wear personal protective equipment to undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. The incumbent must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment physical to include moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) light carrying 15 lbs or less straight pulling reaching above the shoulder with the use of both hands and fingers ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors which is required for this position