The Program Specialist reports to the Compliance Officer. Serves as an authority on the Controlled Substance Inspection program and conducts training, education, written and/or oral, as independently determined, for pharmacy and nursing staff. Identifies non-clinical organizational risks and develops plans of action for the approval of Executive Leadership that will avoid or minimize risk to the organization.

Duties

Works independently to coordinate all aspects of the Controlled Substance Inspection Program for all SAVAHCS areas that administer or store controlled substances or other commonly diverted medications to ensure safety and control of inventory. Manages the education of staff at all levels on the Compliance and Controlled Substance Inspection Program concepts, initiatives, and tools. Reviews all documented complaints recorded by the Patient Advocates, Police, and Research relating to possible diversion activities. Communicates daily with SAVAHCS facility leadership members, including Executive and Service leadership. Coordinates and prepares documents for programs or services required by The Joint Commission, The Inspector General, and other accrediting bodies. Serves as the liaison between the facility and respective accrediting or investigative bodies. Participates in routine risk reviews of services and programs. Assists in developing, implementing, and coordinating the implementation of corrective actions resulting from reviews. Formulates professionally developed reports, policies, and procedures from investigations, monitors, audits, risk and issue management activities, and other oversight recommendations. Supports and facilitates education and communication to engage front-line staff in understanding program concepts and tools; and their application in improving administrative and clinical processes related to inspecting controlled substances. Serves on committees or workgroups in varying capacities, including as a voting participant or section representative. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD11138O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/04/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: planning, organizing, identifying, and recommending process improvements for specific programs; demonstrating knowledge of data collection/analysis and preparing spreadsheets/reports; and communicating effectively with individuals and groups from different backgrounds OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (transcripts required). OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationsComplianceEducation and TrainingProject Management 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary with regular visits to worksites requiring walking and standing. Some bending, stooping, and carrying light items such as paper, binders, and training materials is required. Filing, telephone communication, and keyboarding are the principle activities. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Brittaney Parks
• Phone: 361-277-5288
• Email: [email protected]