VHA VISN 17 Human Resources

Role Description This position serves as a Pharmacy Supervisor in a VISN Clinical Contact Center (CCC) as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. The Pharmacy Supervisor is responsible for providing and coordinating optimal pharmaceutical care activities in the VISN CCC. The employee functions as a supervisor in coordinating and/or directing the activities of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other staff. Responsibilities - Accountable to the CCC Pharmacy Chief or other immediate supervisor for administrative oversight, work assignment, management of time and leave, and performance evaluation. - Collaborates with all levels of VA leadership and services within and outside of the VHA and VISN. - Manages day-to-day operations of the VISN CCC Pharmacy Service. - Resolves personnel matters with employees and union representatives. - Approves or denies leave requests for VISN CCC pharmacists and pharmacy technician supervisors. - Completes performance evaluations, recommendations for awards, and/or disciplinary actions for staff. - Acts as a liaison between the VISN CCC Pharmacy Service and the facilities serviced. - Participates in the development and revision of VISN CCC Pharmacy Service policies and procedures. - Responds to elevated patient inquiries and ensures customer satisfaction. - Prepares reports and documentation upon request from the VISN or appropriate governance structure. - Arranges continuous improvement huddles for pharmacy staff. - Serves as a backup for GS-12 VISN CCC pharmacists. Education/Training - Participates in meetings, conferences, and training programs relevant to the development of the VISN CCC Pharmacy Service. - Promotes employee professional development through continuing education programs. - Works with the VISN CCC Pharmacy Service Chief to identify and plan relevant staff development and educational programs. - Assists in preparing and coordinating new employees' onboarding experience. - Responsible for implementing and documenting training for all VISN CCC Pharmacy Service staff. - Serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students and/or pharmacy residents. Work Schedule CCC is open 365 days a year, 24/7, 80 hours per pay period. Work schedules will be determined based on staffing needs and may require rotating shifts. Holidays and weekend work are required. Virtual This is a virtual position. Functional Statement # 55801-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Not Authorized Education Requirements 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. 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. - United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. - 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. - Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. - Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English. - May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation. Requirements - 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. - Responsible for the professional and administrative management of an assigned area in pharmacy service, including budgetary execution. - Supervises multiple pharmacists and technicians. - Develops performance standards and assures compliance with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements. - Develops policies and procedures relative to their assigned area. Preferred Experience - 5+ years of Outpatient Pharmacy experience. - 3+ years of Clinical Contact Center experience. - 3+ years of Supervisory experience. Physical Requirements - Use of fingers and both hands required. - Walk (up to 1 hour); light carrying (up to 10 lbs). - Near vision correctable at 13' to 16'; hearing (aid permitted).

Role Description The incumbent serves as a Clinical Pharmacist (CP) in a VISN Clinical Contact Center (CCC) as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. The Clinical Pharmacist is responsible for providing optimal clinical and pharmaceutical care activities in the VISN CCC in accordance with the department's mission, vision, and goals. The VISN CCC Clinical Pharmacist's primary responsibility is the utilization of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through direct interactions with patients and providers as well as the safe provision of pharmaceuticals and medication information in a timely manner. This pharmacist promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge and established policies. - Completion of electronic prescription orders, checking of completed prescription orders for accuracy and safety. - Management of VA and VISN formularies, and assistance in achieving VISN goals related to medication management and patient care. - Receiving and handling escalated telephone calls from veterans, their family members, and/or legal representatives regarding: - Appropriate use of medications and medical devices. - Basic billing inquiries. - Clinical questions. - Medication refills/renewals. - Drug-drug interactions. - Adverse effects. - Food-drug interactions. - Product availability. - Pharmacy policies as appropriate. - Monitoring provider's orders for appropriateness of therapy and reporting drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, incompatibilities, side effects, and patient compliance issues. - Actively reviewing patient medication regimens for: - Cost-effective drug selection. - Dosing. - Contraindications. - Therapeutic duplication. - Appropriate route and method of administration. - Drug interactions. - Therapeutic outcomes. - Providing findings and responses to drug information requests to prescribers in a timely manner. - Utilizing patient care information systems such as VistA and CPRS to obtain critical patient data elements and document clinical interventions. - Managing recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths or products per facility policy. - Entering supply orders appropriate for patient care per VISN CCC policy. - Managing various actions for medication orders, including flagging prescriptions and generating unsigned discontinued orders. - Reviewing prescription renewal verification requests and extending refills until the next scheduled appointment under the provider's name. - Participating in continuous daily improvement, Unit Practice Councils, and similar quality improvement initiatives. - Participating in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and other medical center personnel. - Acting as a point-of-contact for outside services in assisting with patient care issues. - Completing additional duties as assigned. 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. - United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. - Education: 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. - Licensure: Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. - English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Requirements - GS-11 Pharmacist: None beyond the basic requirements. - GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level): - 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or - Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. - Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): - Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. - Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. - Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs. - Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies. - Preferred Experience: - Five years of outpatient pharmacy experience. - Experience with VA Health Connect clinical operations. - Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment. - Ability to self-resolve technical/computer issues. - Very strong service skills. Benefits - Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.