This position is to be primarily stationed in Leeds Medical Center. The incumbent would be expected to travel to Worcester and Springfield pharmacies as well as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) (Greenfield, Pittsfield, Fitchburg) as needed to oversee procurement and inventory matters.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties include but are not limited to the following description: The Program Manager manages all components of Procurement, Inventory Management, Reverse Distribution and Pharmaceutical destruction operations for VA Central/Western Massachusetts Healthcare System. This includes compliance oversight of all pharmacists, technicians, trainees, specialized nursing and other supportive personnel involved in procurement, inventory management, destruction and reverse distribution. The incumbent participates in the management of a multi-million dollar budget for inventory management of pharmaceuticals and supplies. Cost effective turnover of inventory must be consistently identified through sound accounting practices. Fluctuating patient needs, specific specialties, drug shortages, back orders and drug recalls makes this a very demanding task. The incumbent will supervise the pharmacy procurement technicians and provide guidance to all pharmacy staff. The incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing appropriate procedures, overseeing compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards and ensuring competency of procurement personnel. The Program Manager is responsible for the development, organization and management of all aspects of the pharmacoeconomic program and to ensure that the Pharmacy Service is in compliance of all applicable laws and regulations regarding this practice (i.e. Federal, VHA and local acquisition regulations for VA Central/Western Massachusetts Healthcare System). The Program Manager must also have working knowledge of and skills utilizing the Electronic Health Record including CPRS, VISTA and software commonly used by service personnel such as Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor software, and Microsoft Products. The Program Manager works closely with other services that may be involved with or impacted by pharmacy procurement and Pharmacoeconomics, including (but not limited to) logistics, fiscal, contracting, environmental management, primary care and medical service. Work will require juggling multiple projects simultaneously and being able to continuously reprioritize work based on the needs of the organization. Work assignments will be broad and complex due to their interdisciplinary nature and coordination throughout the facility. The incumbent must possess knowledge, skill, and flexibility to be assigned interchangeably with the supervisors of the other sections of the Pharmacy Service for training or other purposes, as required. The incumbent is often required to utilize unique and innovative approaches to solve specific problems and is required to perform a variety of duties involving a broad range of activities and depth of analysis. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F06230 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Individual recruitment incentives are authorized. EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact Amy Haley at [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) 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: 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Procurement Manager (Inventory Program Manager) GS-13 Experience: In addition to the GS-12 basic requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. The Program Manager manages all aspects of a distinct program to include policy development, quality resources and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize cost effectiveness (budget) and patient outcomes. Coordinates a single program area of a complex pharmacy operation, or multiple program areas within a facility to develop, organize, manage, and control complex pharmacy programs. Develops, organizes, coordinates and manages single or multiple program areas within the medical facility; this may include a single program area at multiple facilities. The Program Manager title is reserved for those individuals who have one or more of the following: supervisory responsibilities for various sections within Pharmacy Service; a complex program requiring coordination of multiple locations such as medical center care facilities, Community Based Outpatient Clinics(CBOCs), rural health, telemedicine, etc; specialized areas of a complex nature such as nuclear pharmacy, quality assurance, pharmacy informatics, clinical applications coordinator, Home Based Primary Care, pharmacoeconomist or liaison pharmacist duties requiring the coordination of processes with other medical facilities or VISNs. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the KSAs identified below: Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Additional functions include but are not limited to the following descriptions: ADMINISTRATIVE & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Utilize strict accounting practices to maintain an accurate budget. Providing upper management with quarterly, monthly, and often daily updates on budget status. Maintain sufficient inventory for the needs of the Medical Center, yet not exceeding budget allowance. Incumbent is a purchase card holder and complies with all the acquisition regulations, both Federal, VA and local to include small business and mandatory sources. Makes individual purchases not to exceed maximum (i.e. $10,000) unless specifically authorized to do so by Organization Program Coordinator (authorizing official) Manager. Reconciles purchase card charges within the established time limits. The standard for reconciliations is 75% of charges have been reconciled within 10 calendar days after the charge (payment) information is delivered locally to IFCAP, 95% of the payments are matched within 17 days and 100% reconciled within 30 days. It is recommended to have all charges reconciled within the first 10 days. Resolves disputes of unknown or incorrect charges also within the established time limits. Cardholder must leave all charges reconciled prior to taking annual leave or traveling for more than 7 calendar days. Provides approving official with all pertinent purchase card documents for approval by the same and maintains documentation as required for 6 years and 3 months. Inputs orders into the IFCAP Purchase Card Menu, prior to purchase or within one workday of purchase. Functions as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and prepares contracting requests for Pharmacy Service. Provide direct oversight for the accountability of expired or soon-to-expire medications held for return for credit. Manages reverse distribution process ensuring all items are secured and monitored as required to reduce possibility of undetected loss, theft, or misuse. CLINICAL PATIENT CARE SKILLS Counsels patients and family members concerning directions for use, side effects, precautions, and the need to strictly follow the regimen. Monitors patient profiles and ensures contained information is correct and up to date, including any history of drug interactions. Provides consultation to MD's, DO's, DPM's, OD's, PA's, NP's and other health professionals on basic information about drug therapy. Makes suggestions to aid in the selection of substitute medication when those requested are not available or when a more cost-effective approach appears appropriate. Preferred Experience: Extensive pharmacy procurement knowledge and experience at VA or other Federal medical facility, to include control substance and non control substance procurement. Experience with ScriptPro SIM, McKesson, and Government purchase card. Knowledge and experience with VA recall processes. Knowledge of procurement/VA/Federal/DEA regulations and guidelines. Previous experience supervising and directing employees, managing workloads. Knowledge and/or experience with HR (ER/LR and Government Union (ie. AFGE or NAGE)). References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard) dated June 7, 2012. Physical Requirements: The employee must be able to talk, listen, and speak clearly on the phone. Must be able to use a computer with both hands. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time as well as stand. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

Education

IMPORTANT: 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.

Contacts

• Address Northampton VA Medical Center 421 North Main Street Leeds, MA 01053 US
• Name: Heather Volpe
• Email: [email protected]