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 (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Duties
Manages all Compounded Sterile Product (CSP) and Hazardous Drug Management Operations for Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. This includes coordination of all pharmacists, technicians, trainees, and other supportive personnel involved in sterile compounding and/or hazardous drug management. Duties include but are not limited to: Interprets applicable laws, regulations, and standards and develops and implements policies and procedures regarding assigned areas in order to assure facility compliance, competency of personnel, and appropriate environmental control of the assigned areas. Reviews and revises current guidelines and processes in order to meet changing Healthcare System and Pharmacy Service programs. Identifies and justifies needed resources in order to meet the demands of assigned medication distribution programs, both current and future. Investigates and solves problems pertaining to assigned drug distribution area, helps with personnel assignment decisions, coordinates with other health team members, and in general, directs the assigned drug distribution system, with the support of the Inpatient/Outpatient Supervisor. Helps supervisor with performance evaluations for personnel and other related activities (e.g., interviewing and selecting personnel, scheduling tours, documenting performance) in coordination with the Inpatient/Outpatient Supervisors. Reviews and revises current guidelines and processes in order to meet changing Healthcare System and Pharmacy Service programs. Helps supervisor to direct the daily activities of pharmacists, technicians, trainees, and other supportive personnel directly involved in assigned medication distribution. Investigates and solves problems pertaining to assigned drug distribution area, helps with personnel assignment decisions, coordinates with other health team members, and in general, directs the assigned drug distribution system, with the support of the Inpatient/Outpatient Supervisor. Manages assigned drug distribution-associated recordkeeping, e.g., competency assessments, documentation logs, personnel, and process testing reporting, USP<795>, USP<797>, USP report processing and monitoring, AMIS/cost distribution reports, quality assurance data, VistA reports, controlled substances reports, and investigational data. Considers total patient therapy and provides accurate, appropriate, and timely responses to situations that arise requiring clinical and current standards of pharmacy practice. Clinical services shall include but not be limited to appropriate rounds and communication with a specialized clinical area as assigned, recommendations of alternative therapy, pharmacokinetics consultations, adverse drug reaction reporting, and documented drug information/interaction reports. Provides professional and administrative support in the area of assigned pharmacy operations, while under the administrative supervision of the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor; but functions generally independently, while at the same time, keeping the Associate Chief and the Chief informed of any and all issues which impact overall pharmacy programs or staff performance. Ensures that safe, timely, efficient, and cost-effective distribution services are being provided within the assigned section of the Pharmacy Service. Responsible for broad areas of administrative and management functions to include program planning, personnel coordination, cost-effectiveness reviews, records maintenance, and preparation of reports. Continually evaluates the assigned medication distribution system and recommends and coordinates changes and improvements, while ensuring continuity of care for the veteran patient. Responsible for (1) protecting electronic data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion and (2) following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in a computer access agreement which the employee signs. Maintains and improves professional competency by keeping up with information on new medications, new medication therapies, and innovations in pharmacy practices. Applies current drug information and program techniques in their daily practices. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm; weekends, holidays, and hours outside of tour of duty, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00157F Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Robert Knudsen Robert.Knudsen@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 interest. In 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.
How you will be evaluated
Area of consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Overton Brooks VA Medical Center employees including satellites; 2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees; 3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent Federal employees of other Agencies; 4th Area of Consideration - current/past Health Professional Trainees (HPTs) IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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.