The Pharmacist (VISN Program Manager) provides operational and analytical support for VISN-wide pharmacy programs to include pharmacy operations and pharmaco-economics, academic detailing, data reporting/analytics, and budget management. The Program Manager develops and implements strategies for achieving National and VISN pharmacy metrics, assessing medication therapy pathways (clinical and economic), coordinating treatment, evaluating treatment outcomes, and educating healthcare providers.

Duties

The Pharmacist (VISN Program Manager): Serve as a resource to all VISN facilities for pharmacy-related Academic Detailing activities Gather feedback from prescribers regarding needs and barriers to implementing optimal pharmacotherapy in their patients Strategize with VISN Pharmacy Executive, monitor the needs of individual sites, and guide Academic Detailers on project implementation to meet the needs of VISN 17 facilities Provide guidance and support for structured Academic Detailing encounters via face to face and virtual interactions with VA and Care in the Community (CITC) clinicians to promote evidence-based prescribing and improve veterans' health Analyze and validate the effectiveness of VISN-wide educational outreach programming and impact on prescribing behavior and patient outcomes Consult with appropriate stakeholders (VA clinical program offices, VISN and Facility level Leadership and Clinical Services, Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM), and staff) to strategically plan, develop and initiate projects that promote the application of evidence-based therapies to improve veteran care Have knowledge of and apply adjudication and marketing techniques to promote practice guidelines, evidence-based criteria or prescribing and medication management initiatives. Facilitate adequate staffing coverage of VISN Prior Auth Program to provide timely and appropriate VISN PADR adjudications Ensure the Network mission is met while operating in accordance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policies, network policies, and standards of federal, state, professional, and accrediting agencies external to VHA Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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. 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.) 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. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. Grandfathering Provision. All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (3) If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Preferred Experience: Specialized experience in pharmaco-economics practice including implementation of formulary management principles, pharmacy performance measurement and achievement, prior authorization drug reviews, drug utilization reviews, and measurement of outcomes, Data analysis software (e.g. Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server Integration Services, Microsoft Power BI and Excel. Completion of advanced training (e.g., PGY2 Residency or Fellowship in Pharmacy Outcomes or Managed Care, advanced degrees, certifications, etc.) Ability to apply systems redesign principles to improve processes and identify novel approaches in data collection, management and analyses. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Grade Determinations: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14. NOTE: In addition to meeting the qualifications for the GS-14 level, candidates must also meet the grade requirements for the GS-12 and GS-13 grade levels. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (a) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-11 OR Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. (b) KSAs. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following 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 and pharmacy security. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. GS-13 Multiple Assignments (a) Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-12. Note: The Assignment at the GS-12 grade level is Clinical Pharmacist. (b) KSAs. In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate one of the following combinations of KSAs. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. 2Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for my program area. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in my 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. **Continuation of KSA and experience for GS 13 and GS 14 in below Education Section**

Education

Facility Program Manager or Pharmacy Supervisor

• 1. Ability to effectively supervise subordinate staff.
• 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
• 3. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards pertaining to pharmacy.
• 4. Skill in managing people or programs

Associate Service Chief/Associate Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy Director

• 1. Ability to negotiate to influence clinical and management decisions
• 2. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
• 3. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs
• 4. Skill in managing multiple and diverse people or programs.
• 5. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
• 6. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.

GS-14
VISN Program Manager
(a) Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13.Note: Assignments at GS-13 grade level are: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Facility Program Manager, Pharmacy Supervisor, Associate Service Chief, and Associate Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy Director.

(b) KSAs: In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
• Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
• Skill in managing multiple and diverse people and programs.
• Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.

References: VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15 Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard GS-660 Veterans Health Administration June 7, 2012.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Accreditation Information: The baccalaureate degree in pharmacy and/or the Doctor of Pharmacy degree must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acpe-accredit.org/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACPE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]