Summary

Position Location: VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA (Specialties Pharmacy Service) The Pharmacy Data Applications Program Manager must be a licensed pharmacist with a Pharm.D., preferably with an accredited PGY-2 Informatics Residency, or other equivalent. This position reports to the Associate Chief, Specialties Pharmacy Section.

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties

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The incumbent is responsible for activities involving Pharmacy computer systems, including but not limited to, implementation of new pharmacy packages, maintenance of all Pharmacy service files and Drug files for optimum function of pharmacy packages, building of Pharmacy Service medication quick orders and consult templates, and performance of data queries for the Service. This program manager will work collaboratively with all pharmacy leadership and procurement staff to continually review and enhance the Pharmacy Service computer systems and/or packages at the VASDHS.

Duties include the following but are not limited to:

A. Program Management

1. Test and implement new pharmacy packages, patches, and updates to existing pharmacy packages.

2. Accurately maintains all Pharmacy Service files and Drug files for optimum function of pharmacy packages and other Medical Center packages.

3. Interfaces with ADP Applications Coordinators from other services for purposes of information sharing and coordinating interrelated projects in a courteous, helpful, tactful, and professional manner.

4. Responsible for building Pharmacy Service medication quick orders, consult templates for non-formulary and prior authorization medications, and specific note templates for use by Pharmacy staff.

5. Support Pharmacy Service in data mining, developing reporting tools, medication conversion execution, and precepting residents and students in data analysis projects.

6. Participate in conversion to new computer system as applicable.

7. The specialist will be responsible for staff training and implementation of all new and upgraded electronic health record applications utilized by all sections of Pharmacy Service.

8. Is familiar with and can integrate data from pharmacy automation (e.g. automated dispensing cabinets, inventory management systems) with electronic health record data for QA and operational reporting purposes.

9. As requested by the supervisory staff, works in concert with appropriate personnel from OIT or Health Informatics to develop electronic health record-based solutions to operational problems. When the desired functionality is beyond the jurisdiction of local expertise, submit tickets via recommended communication channels to request assistance with issue management.

10. Acts as a liaison between Pharmacy Service and OIT, Health Informatics, or Health Technology Management staff. All operational problems experienced by Pharmacy Service staff are referred to the specialist who will interact with appropriate personnel to troubleshoot and address the issue in a timely manner.

B. Reports and Quality Assurance:

1. Performs, analyzes, and trends Pharmacy Service data reports, such as but not limited to outpatient workload, formulary conversions, etc. as required or assigned.

2. Responsible for supporting necessary programs to assist formulary group in the execution of auto conversions and assuring that these are completed in a timely manner with appropriate QC monitoring.

3. Responsible for the development and production of administrative reports for divisions of Pharmacy as required or assigned.

4. Assures that all quality control monitors and/or surveys are initiated and completed.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday; between the hours of 0700 and 1700.

Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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.

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 [redacted]; phone: [redacted], 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.

GS-13 (Clinical Pharmacy Specialist) Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications:

• Pharm. D. degree and completion of advanced training (PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice residency and PGY-2 in Pharmacy Informatics or an equivalent experience demonstrating competency), specific experiences with Pharmacy automation oversight, proficient use of computer programs (i.e. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, Advanced Excel Proficient, Power BI) and experiences analyzing large datasets and board certification in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS).

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15- Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard. QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-660 Veterans Health Administration.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/ carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching.

Education

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

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.