Associate Service Chief (Inpatient Pharmacy)

SummaryThis position may be eligible to apply for an award up to the maximum limitation under the provisions of the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) once you enter on duty. Please note that funding is not guaranteed. Please contact the EDRP Coordinator in Human Resources for additional information.ResponsibilitiesUnder the direct supervision of the Chief, Pharmacy Service, the Associate Chief of Inpatient Pharmacy is responsible for providing leadership, direction, organization, planning and implementation of Inpatient clinical and distributive pharmacy programs and services for the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). VAPAHCS is a major teaching tertiary care referral center (affiliated with Stanford University Medical Center). This Associate Chief has 11.0 FTEE direct reports; including 4.0 Pharmacy Supervisors, 2.0 Pharmacy Program Managers (Investigational Drugs & USP Compliance), 2.0 Floating Clinical Pharmacy Specialists, 1.0 Floating Pharmacy Technician and 2.0 Pharmacy Technicians. This Associate Chief will have 67 FTEE second level reports, consisting of highly trained Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy Specialists and Pharmacy Technicians that are located at the Palo Alto (Acute Care) and Menlo Park (Extended Care). Therefore, occasional travel to various sites is required. We have well-established PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, PGY-2 Psychiatric Residency, and PGY-2 Health System Pharmacy Administration Residency. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Performs the full complement of supervisory functions for the direct reports. Supervisory functions include, but are not limited to; Effective Leadership, Effective Program Management, and Effective Human Resource Management. This includes mentoring and supervising the 4.0 front-line Pharmacy Supervisors. Works collaboratively with the Chief of Pharmacy and the two other Pharmacy Associate Chiefs (Outpatient and Ambulatory Care/Specialty Clinics) to lead and direct the Pharmacy Service. Performs process and performance improvement activities, to ensure optimal patient care in the inpatient setting. Ensures the successful attainment of clinical performance measures affecting the SAIL and HEDIS measures. Ensures accountability among staff in meeting performance standards by establishing and monitoring results-oriented performance metrics and addressing deficits in a timely manner. Manages operational and programmatic issues in an effective and timely manner and assure compliance with all applicable laws, VHA regulations, Joint Commission standards, as well as VAPAHCS and Pharmacy Service policies and procedures. Provides staff development through coaching, mentoring and supporting opportunities for learning. Fosters strong working relationships within the pharmacy service and outside of pharmacy. Collaborates directly with the Deputy Chiefs of Staff for Acute Care and Extended Care (MDs) and the Chief Nurses of Acute Care and Extended Care (RNs), as well as MD Section Chiefs of the specialty areas (e.g., Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, and Rehabilitation) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pmFinancial Disclosure Report: Not requiredRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsApplicants 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. 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.) [TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION] (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). [YOU MUST SUBMIT COPY OF FPGEC CERTIFICATION WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE]. 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. [YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF CURRENT LICENSE WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE]. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). 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). Preferred Experience: At least two years of Pharmacy Supervisor work experience, prior clinical pharmacy specialist work experience, completion of a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, and ideally completion of PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency. Grade Determinations: GS-14 (a) Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Assignments. Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. . For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 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.) (c) Demonstrated KSAs. 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 and diverse 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15, dated June 7, 2012, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standards, GS-660. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing, light carrying and lifting (under 15 pounds); walking, bending, reaching above the shoulder, and ability to distinguish basic colors. The work also involves working around machinery with moving parts and working closely with others.EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationThis job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.