Pharmacist- Service Chief

VA Careers - Pharmacy: include but are not limited to:

• Oversees the provision of pharmaceutical care and services provided by the Medical Center.
• Maintains active license for the pharmacy department with the State of Indiana. Maintains state and federal Controlled Substance registrations. Assures all legal requirements for state federal and VA are continually met within written guidelines and sound pharmaceutical judgment.
• Maintains effective personnel management program within pharmacy including EEO awareness training opportunities tuition support and individual development plans.
• Assures all aspects of drug control drug accountability and drug security are maximized and are in accordance with Medical Center and Pharmacy Service Policies and Procedures and other applicable VA FDA and Federal Regulations.
• Oversees all pharmacy budget activities.
• Develops and maintains effective clinical pharmacy programs that are synergistic with other Medical Center programs and are designed to maximize pharmacotherapeutic benefits from both cost and patient outcome perspectives.
• Interviews employee candidates recommends appointments advancements or promotions to the Professional Standards Board and administers disciplinary action as required. Collaborates with Human Resource Management Service in order to maintain a select staff and effectively fulfill the needs of pharmacy
• Responsible for on-going review and evaluation of inpatient and outpatient pharmacy activities which include: the intravenous admixture program unit dose medication management system processing of outpatient prescriptions drug medication counseling and CMOP support while maintaining timeliness accuracy and the latest computerized support of these programs.
• Sets standards and establishes performance improvement (PI) initiatives using the Indy Excellence framework. Evaluates effectiveness of programs and resources (budget human space and equipment) coordinates on-going programs and plans and implements new programs as required. Assures the quality of care/services provided is highest standard possible and meets all legal and ethical standards and requirements.
• Prepares revises and implements pharmacy policies and procedures in compliance with TJC DEA and VA standards.
• Responsible for on-going review and evaluation of inpatient and outpatient pharmacy activities which include: the intravenous admixture program unit dose medication management system processing of outpatient prescriptions drug medication counseling and CMOP support while maintaining timeliness accuracy and the latest computerized support of these programs.
• Identifies continuing education needs. Assures pharmacy employees are properly trained and maintains records of all such training. Assures that new employees are properly oriented and instructed to Directs affiliated training programs for pharmacy students residents fellows clerks interns and technicians and serves as a preceptor for pharmacy residents.
• Serves as the residency program director for the postgraduate year two administrative/management residency
• Provides drug education that meets the needs of patients and the Medical Staff.
• Collaborates with Research Svc HSR& D and university pharmacy faculty to develop research programs including directing pharmacy service resources in the development implementation and/or maintenance of plans to enhance research grant application processes department skills and team member capabilities.

• 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.

• 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.

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: (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. (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.
• 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 basic requirements must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Grade Level Criteria: At the GS-15 level Chiefs of Pharmacy must meet the following:
  1. Individuals are assigned as Chiefs of Pharmacy at Complexity Level 1a 1b or 1c VHA facilities; or
  2. Individuals are assigned as Chief of Pharmacy at Complexity Levels 2 or 3 and must meet the criteria noted in 2a and b below.
  a. Must meet all of the following requirements:
  (1) Manages a complex medical center based pharmacy program that is defined as
  having multiple practice settings (e.g. hospital ambulatory care long-term care behavior health care) that require Joint Commission review as separate standards.
  (2) In addition to the medical center pharmacy has responsibility for pharmacy services
  at one or more of the following: CBOCs Rural Health Program domiciliary or provides dispensing and/or clinical services to State Veterans Home.
  (3) Presence of advanced clinical pharmacy programs that include pharmacist(s) that have approved scopes of practice with prescriptive privileges.
  (4) Pharmacy provides clinical pharmacist services to three (3) or more specialty areas
  such as but not limited to hemodialysis oncology operating room or an emergency
  department.
  b. In addition to the requirements listed in 2a above must meet at least two of the following:
  (1) An ASHP Accredited Pharmacy Residency Program.
  (2) A Research Program that is accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of
  Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP).
  (3) Actively involved in committees or advisory/work groups at the VISN and/or National level.
  (4) An ongoing pharmacy student rotation in both the intermediate and advanced practice experience settings
• Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
  • Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
  • Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
  • Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
  • Skill in managing multiple people or programs.
  • Skill in utilizing available resources to support the missions and goals of the organization.
  • Ability to plan organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff