The Program Specialist (Controlled Substance Coordinator) reports to the Director's Office and directly to the Supervisory Program Specialist. Coordinates all aspects of the controlled substance inspection program and serves as the Miami VA Healthcare System's Controlled Substance Coordinator overseeing all initiatives as they relate to Controlled Substances. Improve clinical and administration service processes with the goal of preventing and eliminating diversion opportunities.

Duties

Major duties include but, are not limited: Independently designs and implements a comprehensive program for controlled substance inspections relative to every area of the healthcare system that stores, uses, administers controlled substances or other commonly diverted medications to ensure safety and control of all inventories. Interprets the regulatory guidance and create and design inspections that comply, while also aiming to cause that least possible disruption in patient care. Ensures an adequate number of Controlled Substance Inspectors (CSI) are available to complete the required inventories and inspections in each area that stores controlled substances. Responsible for managing instructions CSIs including technical and administrative direction, assignment scheduling, responding to questions, resolving conflicts, settings deadlines, and finding coverage for unexpected absences, annual recruitment of CSI applicants, assessment of eligibility, and recommendation for appointment by leadership; including determination of adequate number of appointees to meet local program needs and preparation of appointment memos, badges, etc. Serves as the liaison between the facility and any external and internal accrediting/investigative body; i.e., JCAHO, OIG, CAP, VISN, or SOARS reviews regarding specific questions or concerns of the program. Involved in process engineering including deciding the methodologies to use in achieving work goals and objectives, and continuously monitoring and improving inspection methods. Establishes and implements procedures for data validation. Responsible for writing and updating local facility policy & SOPs as needed Ensures that all documented complaints are recorded by the Patient Advocate Office, relating to possible diversion activities (i.e., quantity shortage, mail prescriptions not received, etc.) are reviewed; ensures that this review is summarized in the monthly report to the Healthcare System Director via ELB. Trains, manages and leads from 30-48 controlled substance inspectors from diverse areas of the healthcare system. Develops and implements educational programs for all CSI on issues relating to the controlled substance inspection program. Evaluates and documents each inspector's competency annually and randomly throughout the inspector's tenure. Provides education to all clinical leadership regarding management and surveillance of controlled substance usage within their area of supervision. Completes other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist (Controlled Substance Coordinator)/PD082430 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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, 11/28/2023. 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 For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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: GS-09 Level Specialized Experience: You must have 1 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: ???????Plans and manages the Controlled Substance Program by providing leadership, direction, and support the facility goals and objectives for compliance with regulatory guidelines and directives with regard to the storage, handling and administration of controlled substances. Provides technical, administrative direction and instruction to controlled substance inspectors. Or, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent degree. or, 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Or, LL.B. or J.D., Or, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education. GS-11 Level Specialized Experience: You must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Performs design improvement strategies to decrease and prevent controlled substance vulnerabilities. Performs customized controlled substance inspection and maintains compliance with regulatory guidance. Develops and maintains an inspection rotation schedule log, in compliance with consecutive inspection restrictions, inspector terms, and competencies. Prepares monthly and quarterly reports regarding discrepancies, trends and frequency of non-compliance with governing regulations. Or, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree or, 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., Or, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: AccountabilityDecision MakingPerformance Measurement 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: The work is generally sedentary with visits to worksites requiring walking and standing, especially when conducting an inspection. Some bending, stooping, and carrying light items such as paper, binders and medical charts is required. Keyboarding, communications, either by telephone or in person, filing and record keeping are the principal activities. The CSC will be required to visit hospital units, clinics, pharmacies and cache storage areas. Contact with healthcare system employees, supervisors and top management in all areas of the facility is required. 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 Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Sally Jordan
• Phone: 813-919-9130
• Email: [email protected]