Qualifications

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
• Drivers License: A valid state drivers license is required as this position requires local travel to provide site visits to the community based outpatient clinics (CBOC's) through the use of a government vehicle or other individual arrangements
• 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: Must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-13
• GS-13 experience includes, but is not limited to: coordinating multiple programs in pharmacy service in a medical facility
• Serving as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief
• Developing and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and in compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies
• Has extensive responsibility for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget
• Makes selections, assigns personnel, and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential
• GS-14 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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: Supervisor experience, clinical/scope of practice Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving, standing and pushing carts about the work unit
• The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting
• The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern for staff and patients
• The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position involves lifting 25 pounds or less, able to visually confirm drug order correctness, and able to stand for periods of 30 minutes or greater
• Must pass all required VAMC driving requirements
• Incumbent must possess and maintain a current valid state drivers license.