Pharmacist (Associate Service Chief)

<p>This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000)& eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The Associate Service Chief, Clinical Pharmacy, at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System serves as a key assistant to the Chief of Pharmacy Service, functioning with a high degree of independence and delegated authority in the management and supervision of clinical pharmacy services within either the Ambulatory Care or Acute/Long-Term Care domains. Duties: Provides strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive clinical pharmacy services in accordance with VHA Handbook 1108.11 and VA PBM Clinical Pharmacy Practice Office guidance. Directs PACT and specialty clinic CPS programs (e.g., primary care, cardiology, pulmonary, pain, women's health, telehealth) to ensure Veterans have timely access to high-quality comprehensive medication management (CMM) services. Ensures clinical pharmacy services are fully integrated into interprofessional care teams and consistently aligned with facility and VISN strategic goals for quality, safety, access, and Veteran experience. Shares responsibility with the Chief, Pharmacy Service, and applicable clinical service chiefs for development, approval, and ongoing oversight of CPP scopes of practice in accordance with VHA Handbook 1108.11 and medical staff bylaws. Oversees processes for initial and ongoing professional practice evaluation, competency assessment, and proficiency reviews for clinical pharmacists with scopes of practice. Ensures scopes of practice are evidence-based, appropriately focused, and updated to reflect changes in practice standards, credentialing, and privileging. Ensures clinical pharmacy services are integrated into interprofessional teams and aligned with facility and VISN strategic goals for quality, safety, access, and Veteran experience. Provides comprehensive medication management, including initiation, modification, and discontinuation of medications; ordering and interpreting labs and other diagnostics; and performing necessary objective assessments to evaluate and monitor therapy. Plans, coordinates, and evaluates training programs for pharmacy residents, APPE/IPPE students, and other learners assigned to clinical pharmacy areas. Provides or oversees in service education, competency training, and continuing education for clinical pharmacists, other pharmacy staff, and interprofessional team members on pharmacotherapy, CMM, and medication safety. Serves as mentor and coach for CPS staff, fostering professional growth, board certification, advanced practice development, and leadership skills. Develops, implements, and monitors quality-assurance and performance-improvement activities specific to clinical pharmacy services. Supervises and directs clinical supervisors, CPPs, and clinical pharmacists, including hiring, onboarding, orientation, assignment, performance management, and professional development. Develops and maintains current functional statements and performance standards for all supervised staff; ensures performance appraisals and proficiencies are completed on time and reflect objective, outcomes-based measures. Analyzes and manages clinical workload and ensures staffing and scheduling practices support access, safety, and continuity of care. Promotes a culture of psychological safety, inclusion, and team-based problem solving; addresses performance or conduct concerns promptly and fairly in collaboration with HR and labor partners. Supports initiatives to improve Veteran access to clinical pharmacy services, including telephone management, secure messaging, telehealth CMM clinics, and transitions-of-care follow-up. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm (subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 520-00444F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact April.hightower@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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.<h3>Education</h3>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/.