This Pharmacy Program Manager, IV Room, is located within the Pharmacy Department at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. The primary functions of this position within the Pharmacy are to develop, organize, and manage the intravenous admixture and sterile and non-sterile compounding program at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. 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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/29/2024. 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. Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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. 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. GS-13 GRADE EXPERIENCE Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Preferred Experience: In addition to basic Qualification Standard: completion of ASHP-accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and/or PGY-2 Specialty Pharmacy Residency (in an applicable specialty) or equivalent experience in the major duties for at least 3 years. Assignment. Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. A CPS plays a defined role in budgetary execution and serves as a mid-level provider who functions to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments; helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; performing physical assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. 2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. 3. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. 4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. 5. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. References: VA Handbook, 5005, Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Employees are typically expected to work forty hours per week. This may include evenings and weekends functioning as a CPS. Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., handling prescriptions, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 25lbs.), including boxes, packages, and equipment, stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Employees must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used on the job. Employees may be asked to work voluntary overtime within different pharmacy locations during periods of extreme staffing shortages. If there are no volunteers, reverse seniority will be utilized to work mandatory overtime within their respective clinical areas or as coverage for fellow pharmacy specialists. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. ["Functions of the Position: The Pharmacy Program Manager, IV Room, will be involved in the independent professional practice of pharmacy in accordance with the guidance set forth in FHCC policies and procedures, VA/DoD regulations, and state and federal laws governing the practice of pharmacy. The Pharmacy Program Manager, IV Room, may be scheduled and assigned to all areas of pharmacy practice and must possess the required knowledge and skills in order to perform the required functions. The Pharmacy Program Manager, IV Room, is responsible for both direct and indirect patient care, patient education, drug therapy monitoring, quality assurance, staff education, and consultation, and acts as pharmacy liaison with physicians and other health practitioners. The Pharmacy Program Manager, IV Room, promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge that is consistent with policies established at the National, VISN, and local levels. Major Duties and Responsibilities: A. Program Manager Ensures compliance with USP <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding Preparations, USP <800> Hazardous Drugs - Handling in Healthcare Settings, USP <795> Pharmaceutical Compounding - Nonsterile Preparations, VHA Inpatient Services Directives, Policies, and Handbooks relating to CSPs, VHA Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) Guidance for CSPs, Guidelines for Safe Preparation of Sterile Compounding (2013) published by Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), American Society of Heath-System Pharmacists(ASHP), and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and Office of Inspector General (OIG), Joint Commission, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, or any other accrediting bodies or best practices recommends are require for safe compounding of CSP and handling of hazardous drugs (HD)for all activities and functions for the CSPs. Ensures the pharmacy service has written procedures for compliance with these standards. Ensures that the decision to outsource CSP prescriptions or to prepare CSPs in the medical facility pharmacy follows the VHA PBM decision-making hierarchy Ensures the competency of Pharmacy personnel in the preparation and handling of sterile and non-sterile compounded products as required by USP <795>, <797>, and <800>standards. Monitors pharmacy staff trainings are maintained and documented with acceptable skills & competency and assists with training all incoming pharmacy personnel on all matters related to the compounding CSPs, HDs, and IV room procedures. Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Inpatient Pharmacy (and Outpatient Pharmacies, when applicable) for the IV room, compounding CSPs and non-sterile preparations, develops policies and procedures for the Hospital for safe handling of HD, conducts training, and provides educational in-services B. Clinical: Is directly involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the patient medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate. Actively involved in reviewing patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. C. Educational Provide annual training for all pharmacy staff in aseptic technique, pharmaceutical calculations, position specific competencies, and reviews modules and updates as needed. Provides accurate and adequate orientation and explanation of policies and procedures regarding sterile and non-sterile compounded preparations, IV admixture program, and performance improvement to pharmacy employees. Conduct and/or participate in an ongoing in-service education program for pharmacy personnel and other medical personnel as required. Provide training for incoming pharmacy personnel, and assure competency prior to full assignment. Keeps abreast of new developments in pharmacy practice and drug therapy by reading the pharmacy and medical literature and participating in continuing education programs. Responsible for providing the FHCC staff with accurate, comprehensive information about drugs and their use and shall serve as the FHCC primary resource for meeting its drug information responsibilities. Serves as a preceptor and role model for pharmacy resident and or students during their rotations and in accordance with established protocols. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Licensed Pharmacist(Facility Program Manager) IV Room/PD01674F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
