Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities 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 in inpatient, clinical, research, or outpatient pharmacy areas within the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS). For the assigned area of work, the incumbent ensures that operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and resource utilization are maximized. The incumbent serves as a resource to the Chief of Pharmacy Service, Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff, and Medical Center Director. Represents Pharmacy Service on advisory teams, boards, and committees within the Medical Center, regionally, and nationally. Serves as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief. Some of the assigned duties are: Ensures optimum efficiency and effectiveness of numerous, complex, and comprehensive integrated programs administered or overseen by the Pharmacy Service. Manages and optimally uses all resources entrusted to the Pharmacy Service to include budget, personnel, equipment, and space. Identifies when additional resources are needed and navigates the process to gain those resources after obtaining Chief of Pharmacy approval. In the absence of the Pharmacy Service Chief, when assigned, assumes responsibility for the functions and activities of all the Sections and Divisions of the Pharmacy Service as Acting Chief. Provides appropriate written or verbal responses to inquiries or complaints from patients or other stakeholders that represent the VA with integrity, transparency, and commitment to service. Identifies staff continuing education needs and provides training opportunities to continually build practice skills. Directly assists clinicians in rational drug selection by providing written and/or verbal consultation. Assures that all prescriptions and orders meet proper eligibility criteria on a patient-specific basis and that national formulary and prior authorization procedures are followed; this includes adherence to all criteria for use, treatment algorithms, and guidelines. Verifies provider prescriptions/orders to ensure they are complete and appropriate. Screens for compatibility, patient allergies, dose adjustments, contraindications, and drug interactions. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. 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 Jamie Wunsch at V8EDRPOrlando@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. 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. 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: (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.) (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. 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 mission and goals of the organization. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff. References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The 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 Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
