Summary The Associate Chief of Pharmacy Operations is responsible for the planning, coordination, management, and maintenance of comprehensive distributive, logistical, and administrative pharmacy services to support the Medical Center's mission. The incumbent has oversight of inpatient, outpatient, controlled substance accountability, automation, informatics, community care, and pharmacoeconomic and procurement operations to support the Hampton VAMC and healthcare system. Responsibilities The Associate Chief of Pharmacy Operations is responsible for the planning, coordination, management, and maintenance of comprehensive distributive, logistical, and administrative pharmacy services to support the Medical Center's mission. The incumbent has oversight of inpatient, outpatient, controlled substance accountability, automation, informatics, community care, and pharmacoeconomic and procurement operations to support the Hampton VAMC and healthcare system. The incumbent also actively participates in local, VISN, and national advisory/work groups, is an active member of national and state pharmacy and health care organizations and is a subject matter expert on matters related to pharmacy operations. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Assesses, plans, and evaluates the pharmacy services assigned to ensure proper coordination between the delivery of pharmacy services and the overall delivery of health care. The incumbent accepts substantial and continual responsibility and accountability for planning, organizing, coordinating, and controlling complex pharmacy operations. Participates in long range program planning and model development for effective and timely delivery of pharmaceutical services. The incumbent will oversee implementation and maintenance of services to ensure compliance with accepted healthcare delivery standards. Maintains an efficient and effective medication distribution system for unit-dose medications, outpatient prescription dispensing, hazardous and non-hazardous sterile compounding, non-sterile compounding, automated medication replenishment programs, and automated dispensing technology. Coordinates resources to ensure effective drug information services, patient counseling, medication reconciliation (to include discharge counseling), and inventory management. Maintains adequate stock levels and control inventories in the pharmacy, patient care areas, and satellite clinics. Responsible for the inspection of drug storage areas assuring that all requirements are met and maintained for security, accountability, and storage conditions of inventories. Creates procedures to obtain emergency medications in the shortest possible time frame. Maintains oversight of the controlled substance accountability program and the drug accountability program for Pharmacy Service. Coordinates with other departments or agencies to effectively maintain resource accountability. Defines and establishes effective process monitors and quality controls for the proper surveillance of the accuracy and integrity of medication management systems under the incumbent's supervision. Can take appropriate action for metrics not being met and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Plans and maintains staffing patterns that promote use of all levels of Service personnel to achieve the Service's mission and goals. Takes appropriate action(s) to realign resources to meet changing workload demands and to meet goals and priorities. Establishes, implements, and revises quality improvement and departmental goal planning efforts which are integrated with goals and objectives of the Medical Center, VISN, or VA Central Office. Participates in and leads systems redesign activities to improve the availability and quality of pharmaceutical care throughout the facility. Advises on pharmacoeconomic programs related to evidence-based uses of medications and makes recommendations for system-wide interventions when deemed necessary to assure optimal usage of pharmacotherapeutic resources. Ensures pharmacy functioning is compliant with Federal, VHA, DEA, FDA, TJC, and local facility policies and procedures (as applicable). Maintain a clean, safe, organized work environment. Ensure that the work site is in compliance with basic safety standards set by OSHA and the Medical Center and that Service employees receive all mandatory training in safety related topics. Maintains current professional services policies governing drug procurement, storage and dispensing procedures and the provision of drug information within the hospital and Outpatient Clinic. Procedures are maintained in accordance with VHA Handbooks, VHA Directives, Joint Commission Guidelines, applicable federal and state laws, and current and accepted policies and standards for pharmacy practice. Interfaces with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to optimize rational and cost-effective medication therapy. Work Schedule: 7:30a-4:00pm Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Ad-hoc only (i.e., situational). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Monique.Head@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. 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 dentification 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). 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. 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: 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.) 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: GS-14 Experience: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities (KSA). The KSAs shown below apply to all assignments at this grade level Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs. Skill in managing multiple people or programs. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff. Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Operations leadership experience involving both Inpatient & Outpatient processes. Reference; VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15, dated June 7, 2012, VA Pharmacist Qualification Standards, GS-660. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. This position is for a GS-14 which is above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: Moderate or extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling. This occasionally involves lifting moderately heavy items (30 pounds). The employee must possess average agility and dexterity. 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 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. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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.