Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Inventory Program Manager

The Pharmacy Inventory Manager is responsible for providing leadership direction coordination clinical guidance organization planning and implementation of pharmaceutical procurement throughout the VA Northern California Healthcare System.

Major Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Program Management:

1. Coordinates all activities related to procurement and inventory of all medications supplies and IV fluids for pharmacy services to include but not limited to receiving stocking maintaining inventory establishing maximum/minimum levels for ordering and automation rotating stock to minimize expiration and under/overstock borrowing returns and destruction.
2. Monitors and regularly reports status of pharmacy expenditures identifying significant changes including data and information on specific drugs therapeutic classes supplies etc. that have contributed to the change.
3. Maintains knowledge and competency to appropriately carry out all purchase card duties.
4. Coordinates with relevant stakeholders and other pharmacy staff to create action plans for drug recalls shortages and backorders.
5. Maintains proficiency in software programs and internet resources related to purchasing inventory and pharmaceutical care including but not limited to facility automation electronic health record prime vendor and other vendor resources reverse distributor Federal government VHA CMOP VISN and local medical center resources medication dispensing and distribution drug accountability controlled substances IFCAP vendor files Fund Control GIP purchasing agent menus etc.

Use of Government Credit Cards/Approving Official:

1. Ensures all cardholders and approving officials complete mandatory training.
2. Assures all cards are used appropriately and/or takes appropriate action when misuse/abuse of purchase card occurs.
3. Establishes cards within the limits of delegated purchase authority.
4. Immediately cancels card assigned to any employee who separates or is transferred.
5. Assures reconciliation and approvals are completed within the mandated timeframe.
6. Ensures reconciliation is completed prior to a cardholder taking leave or leaving the service.
7. Verifies cardholders perform appropriate market research prior to purchasing.
8. Ensures proper documentation of records.
9. Certifies all procurements are legal and appropriate. Certification of inappropriate procurements will result in immediate revocation of approving authority possible disciplinary action and/or issuance of a bill of collection for the full cost of the procurement.
10. Certifies reconciled (matched) payment charges in IFCAP within 10-days of receipt from cardholder.

Administration:

1. Strives to increase productivity and efficiency of assigned personnel and other Pharmacy Service activities to improve processes and pharmaceutical care provided to patients.
2. Communicates effectively with employees keeping them informed of necessary information; keeps in close communication with each Section Supervisor regarding drug procurement drug use drug accountability drug budget etc.
3. Ensures implementation of pharmacy-based action items as they relate to the facility Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee functions and activities.
4. Assists in meeting all Joint Commission medication management standards by having an expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for the area of practice.
5. Ensures accuracy validity and timely submission of pharmacy workload activity reports systematic review/performance improvement reports operations reports drug utilization/data reports and other special reports that are pertinent to the incumbents program areas.

Research:

1. Participates in the development of protocols for research projects for the Pharmacy Services as appropriate.
2. Enables appropriate distribution of research project information to involve personnel to facilitate the proper handling and use of investigational drugs as appropriate.
3. Enforces policies and procedures regarding the proper handling storage record keeping and dispensing of investigational drugs as well as relevant patient monitoring as appropriate for the assigned Pharmacy Section.
4. Participates in developing criteria for drug utilization evaluations data collection trending reports and other quality assurance activities as required ensuring appropriate and safe drug utilization.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri: 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Ad-Hoc Only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 11029-F
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

• 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.

Preferred Experience: Management experience with Inventory/Contracting

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:

1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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

3. 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 2 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 InternetBased Test (TOEFL iBT).

4. 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 : Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct professional incompetence or substandard care or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct professional incompetence or substandard care are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. 7402(f)). Effective November 30 1999 this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license registration or certification.

Grandfathering Provision: All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard 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:

1. Employees grandfathered into the GS-0660 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

• Experience or Education: In addition to the GS-12 requirements must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level:
  1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or
  2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs):
  1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
  2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
  3. Ability to solve problems coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
  4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
  5. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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).