Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager - Informatics)

Summary

The Clinical Pharmacist - Informatics and Automation Program Manager must be a licensed pharmacist and is accountable to the Chief of Pharmacy or designee for providing direction - organization planning - and implementation of Pharmacy programs which promotes stewardship - patient centered care - enhanced patient safety - and optimize drug related outcomes in a cost-effective manner with evidence based pharmaceutical care.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Education (transcripts with confer date required): 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.) OR 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 (copy of licensure required): 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
• 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
• 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: GS-13 Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager) Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements - must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions
• Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area
• Ability to solve problems - coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their 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
• Facility Program Manager: Manages all aspects of a distinct program to include policy development - quality resources and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize cost effectiveness (budget) and patient outcomes
• Coordinates a single program area of a complex pharmacy operation - or multiple program areas within a facility to develop - organize - manage - and control complex pharmacy programs
• Develops - organizes - coordinates and manages single or multiple program areas within the medical facility
• this may include a single program area at multiple facilities
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• Physical Requirements: light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking - standing - repeated bending - hearing (aid may be permitted).

Duties

• The incumbent is responsible for developing and managing technology-based solutions which promote safe - effective - and optimal use of medications within the Jonathan M
• Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center and associated remote locations
• Duties will include: Serves as informatics and Automation Coordinator for Pharmacy Services
• Responsible for maintaining all software packages - pharmacy automation - and pharmacy applications
• Serves as a liaison between Information Technology (IT) - BioMed - PBM - and EHRM-IO in the implementation of verified pharmacy packages - automation - program development - and enhancement - troubleshooting and problem prevention
• The incumbent works collaboratively with pharmacy managers and other healthcare disciplines to develop and implement local - VISN and National initiatives to improve patient care and cost efficiency
• Responsible for maintaining facility and pharmacy-related informatics and automation security policies - procedures and practices for pharmacy package users and provides training to all new users
• Coordinates with Information Technology staff - and other application coordinators to implement integrated packages - resolve conflicts - provide secondary support on related software modules - and ensure smooth operations in areas where package scope overlaps or is integrated with other services' function
• Serves as coordinator for the implementation and verification of new packages - program development - enhancement - troubleshooting - and problem prevention
• Serves as liaison to other departments on issues related to all pharmacy packages
• Serves as the coordinator for the implementation and verification of new and existing automation within the pharmacy division and serves as the POC for automation for the division
• Maintains Pharmacy files for optimum function of pharmacy packages and other related facility packages ensuring uniform format and data accuracy
• Files include but not limited to FEHR Pharmacy files - IV additive file - Allergy file - and inventory file
• Manages pharmacy automation and software including but not limited to ScriptPro - Omnicell Automation Dispensing Cabinets - TCG Rx - ScripTalk - etc
• Assists with the integration of software for various computer-driven pharmaceutical equipment such as labeling devices - unit dose packaging equipment - automated outpatient/inpatient medication systems with various work processing systems
• Serves as a resource and contact person for users having ongoing technical difficulties with Pharmacy software
• Liaisons with OIT - BioMed - PBM - and EHRM-IO to ensure smooth and timely implementation of new versions or patches for Pharmacy Automation Equipment and FEHR
• Coordinates pre and post implementation testing and communication for all pharmacy related software patches - automation and new programs
• Coordinates and provides training to end-users on current software applications as needed - as well as how the packages integrate with each other in pharmacy department
• Serves as a resource person and consultant on matters relating to pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practice as well as FEHR (Oracle Cerner)
• Leads change with formulary management culture by maintaining the DRP Flexing utility appropriately - to help prescribers select the most cost-effective medications
• Develop policies and procedures for Electronic Medical Records (EMR) related activities that involve issues of patient confidentiality and security of individual access codes
• Ensures that pharmacy staff are properly assigned appropriate menus - user roles and classes - and message pools or mail groups in a timely manner
• Serves as a resource and provides information and education to pharmacy staff (including students and Residents) providers - and patients
• Responsible for organizing and chairing groups to facilitate the implementation of automation - CPRS - VISTA or other EMR and pharmacy programs in multiple settings
• He/she identifies problems and potential impediments in making the conversion from manual to automated information systems and the electronic medical record
• Manage components of the Federal Electronic Health Record system and the Barcode Medication Administration
• Demonstrates knowledge of medical center memorandums - policies and procedures related to pharmaceutical services and thorough knowledge of Pharmacy Service policies - procedures - memorandums - and directives applicable to areas of responsibility
• Plans - directs - manages - monitors - evaluates - enhances - and promotes innovative technology and automation programs provided by the Pharmacy Division
• Oversee the effective utilization of resources and budget to support the mission and goals of the organization
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized