Chief Pharmacy Service

The Chief, Pharmacy Service oversees a wide range of pharmacy responsibilities. The Chief, Pharmacy Service at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System (CWM HCS) plans, directs and coordinates the comprehensive delivery of pharmacy services throughout the Healthcare System's catchment area. The Chief provides leadership needed to provide pharmaceutical care and medication therapy management to all patients served by CWM HCS.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Current VA Employees should apply to this vacancy using the internal vacancy announcement at the following link:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/872931000

Chief Pharmacy Service, GS-15

Duties include but are not limited to the following description:

The Chief, Pharmacy Service oversees a wide range of pharmacy responsibilities. The Chief, Pharmacy Service at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System (CWM HCS) plans, directs and coordinates the comprehensive delivery of pharmacy services throughout the Healthcare System's catchment area. The Chief provides leadership needed to provide pharmaceutical care and medication therapy management to all patients served by CWM HCS. In this leadership role, the Chief exercises full authority and responsibility for the supervision of pharmacy staff comprised of associate service chiefs of pharmacy, supervisory pharmacists, informatics pharmacist, clinical pharmacists, clinical pharmacy specialists providing advanced clinical pharmacy services, pharmacy residents, pharmacy technicians, and administrative support staff.

The Chief, Pharmacy Service works closely with the Pharmacy Leadership team to perform data analysis to measure performance with guideline adherence and timely and accurate delivery of quality pharmacy services. As such, the position requires computer expertise, particularly in the area of database/spreadsheet programs and data analysis. The Chief, Pharmacy Service fosters a patient centered culture to increase pharmacy patient satisfaction, achieve clinical excellence, enhance patient safety, and improve drug-related problems. The Chief, conceives and articulates the vision for Pharmacy Service, expresses the values that represent Pharmacy Service and carries them through times of conflict or change and unites employees in pursuit of patient focused pharmaceutical care objectives. The Chief, Pharmacy Service holds a position of high visibility. As such, the Chief, pharmacy Service must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The Chief, Pharmacy Service serves as a representative of the CWM HCS Pharmacy program through membership on various internal and external standing and ad hoc committees, including participation at the VISN and National levels.

CWM Pharmacy practices in and supports a CLC, an acute inpatient psych ward, three RRTPs, and outpatient clinics. CWM Pharmacy has two CBOC pharmacies (Springfield and Worcester), three domiciliary RRTPs. CWM Pharmacy has 15 Clinical Pharmacy Specialists with scopes of practice in four locations (Leeds, Springfield, Worcester, & Fitchburg). The Clinical Pharmacy Specialists practice in several specialties (PACT, CLC, Mental Health, Pain, AntiCoag, Hepatitis C, Anemia, and Community Care).

Pharmaceutical care and medication therapy management are missions of the pharmacy profession. They assure rational, helpful, and cost-effective drug therapy that improves a patient's quality of life. Pharmaceutical care and medication therapy management are patient-focused and encompass all aspects and processes involving medications. They integrate the knowledge and skills of pharmacists and technicians working in a system of drug use control and promote acceptance of individual responsibility for patient outcomes.

With the primary site being located in Leeds, CWM HCS is a complex 130 bed medical center with a highly diverse patient population in outpatient, inpatient, and extended care settings. Pharmacy Services are provided on-site at Leeds and include outpatient pharmacies, clinical pharmacy specialists practicing in Primary Care, Specialty Clinics, Pain, and Anticoagulation Clinics, Home Based Primary Care. The specific functions of the CWM HCS Pharmacy Service include outpatient dispensing, non-VA (Community Care) medication dispensing, unit dose drug distribution, controlled substance and high-cost drug accountability, drug information, TPN monitoring, antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacokinetic monitoring, research drug control, emergency pharmacy service (drug cache), ambulatory specialty and primary care clinical pharmacy support, outpatient anticoagulation management, and patient education. The Pharmacy Service is developing a American Society of Health system Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited residency training programs which will train multiple PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents annually. The wide range of programs, number of sites involved, and highly specialized services require considerable coordination and leadership. Resource management at CWM HCS Pharmacy Service includes over 53 FTEE and a budget exceeding $18 million.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not available on a regular or recurring basis, situational telework only.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F06518
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May Be Authorized

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:

Experience: In addition to the GS-14 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Grade Level Criteria: At the GS-15 level, Chiefs of Pharmacy must meet the following:

1. Individuals are assigned as Chiefs of Pharmacy at Complexity Level 1a, 1b or 1c VHA facilities; or
2. Individuals are assigned as Chief of Pharmacy at Complexity Levels 2 or 3 and must meet the criteria noted in 2a and b below.
   • a. Must meet all of the following requirements:
     • Manages a complex medical center based pharmacy program that is defined as having multiple practice settings (e.g. hospital ambulatory care, long-term care, behavior health care) that require Joint Commission review as separate standards.
     • In addition to the medical center pharmacy, has responsibility for pharmacy services at one or more of the following: CBOCs, Rural Health Program, domiciliary, or provides dispensing and/or clinical services to State Veterans Home.
     • Presence of advanced clinical pharmacy programs that include pharmacist(s) that have approved scopes of practice with prescriptive privileges.
     • Pharmacy provides clinical pharmacist services to three (3) or more specialty areas such as, but not limited to, hemodialysis, oncology, operating room or an emergency department.
   • b. In addition to the requirements listed in 2a above, must meet at least two of the following:
     • An ASHP Accredited Pharmacy Residency Program.
     • A Research Program that is accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP).
     • Actively involved in committees or advisory/work groups at the VISN and/or National level.
     • An ongoing pharmacy student rotation in both the intermediate and advanced practice experience settings.

Assignment: Responsible for all aspects of pharmacy services at a medical facility by maintaining effective interdepartmental relationships demonstrating active problem resolution skills and close cooperation with other programs and services in accomplishing the medical facility mission and goals. Responsible for budget management, determining resource needs, allocating resources, ensuring proper utilization in productivity, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the operation. Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long term interest of the organization, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks. Responsible for compliance with all safety, regulatory, and accrediting body requirements. Delegates authority to several supervisory and program levels to meet the goals of the service and staff. Ensures orientation and training programs are established to ensure staff development, oversees academic affiliations, and participates in medical facility, VISN, National, other external governmental agencies, and professional associations.

Functions include but are not limited to:

A. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

• Requirements for appointment, promotion, and advancement (for achievement or performance) of a Chief, Pharmacy Service in VHS&RA under authority of 38 U.S.C. 4103) are outlined in Attachment C, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard (Appendix 2R, Chapter 2, VHS&RA Supplement, MP-5, Part II Circular 00-89-38, dated December 4, 1989).
• The incumbent must possess necessary interpersonal and leadership skills to effectively function with healthcare professionals, patients, administrative staff, professional staff and academic affiliates. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• This position requires extensive knowledge of management and Pharmacoeconomics to be able to assure appropriate pharmacy distributive services and to promote rational drug therapy. In addition to established, regulatory agency approved information, the Chief, Pharmacy Services must be well versed with VA, DEA, the Joint Commission, OSHA, and GEMS regulations and requirements governing pharmacy practice.

B. LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Works with pharmacy employees to establish mission and vision statements and core values of the Pharmacy Service which support national VA iCare values and the mission and vision of the VHA, VHA PBM Office, VISN 1 and CWM HCS. Directs all activities to support the mission using established vision and values to make critical decisions. Benchmarks and promotes practices that improve medication use outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• Promotes Pharmacy Service philosophy of multi-disciplinary teamwork, cooperation and patient centered customer service. Inspires and empowers pharmacy staff to take initiative needed to achieve patient centered medication goals and to accept individual responsibility for outcomes.

C. ADMINISTRATIVE/SUPERVISORY/CLINICAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Provides direct supervision to Associate Chiefs of Pharmacy, Program Managers, Pharmacy Informatics, and administrative staff.
• Prioritizes works and makes administrative decisions when supervisory personnel are not available, or in instances where immediate decisions are required during off-tours, weekends and in the absence of the supervisory personnel.
• Establishes program goals and develops the operational plans, performance indicators and policies to achieve them.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying; straight pulling; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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.