Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Facility Program Manager (Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist) in Leeds, Massachusetts
Summary 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 four 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. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Facility Program Manager (Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist) GS-0660-13 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: The Program Manager, Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist, is a multifunctional position with an emphasis on informatics operations. The incumbent serves as a resource person in the management and development of multiple hardware and software tools critical to pharmacy service operations, as well as the collection, management, and analysis of data for pharmacy service or Healthcare System management. The incumbent is a pharmacist who possesses extensive knowledge of Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Veterans Information System Technology Architecture (VISTA) pharmacy applications and is familiar with Microsoft Office and National database management systems. With this knowledge the incumbent works to investigate, evaluate and resolve problems relating to BCMA, CPRS and VISTA applications as they relate to the mission of the pharmacy service, pharmaceutical care for Veterans at VA Central Western Massachusetts (VA CWM) Health Care System. The incumbent performs oversight and management activities in support of the pharmacy service's mission. This position is based at the Leeds, Massachusetts campus and may be eligible for occasional telework. Duties performed in this role include all former responsibilities of the automatic data processing applications coordinator (ADPAC). The incumbent is an important liaison between Pharmacy Service and the Office of Information and Technology (OIT). This person also may be called upon to temporarily function in the capacity of a GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist in any area of competency as staffing requirements occasionally dictate. The ADPAC Pharmacist provides optimal pharmaceutical care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the VA CWM Health Care System. Facility Program Managers manage 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 5 single or multiple program areas within the medical facility; this may include a single program area at multiple facilities. The Program Manager title is reserved for those individuals who have one or more of the following: supervisory responsibilities for various sections within Pharmacy Service; a complex program requiring coordination of multiple locations such as medical center care facilities, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), rural health, telemedicine, etc.; specialized areas of a complex nature such as nuclear pharmacy, quality assurance, pharmacy informatics, clinical applications coordinator, Home Based Primary Care, pharmacoeconomist or liaison pharmacist duties requiring the coordination of processes with other medical facilities or VISNs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F7930 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN1EDRPSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not 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. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education: (1) 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.)(2) 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: Facility Program Manager (Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist) GS-0660-13 Experience and Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following: 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS12) and Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. Functions include but are not limited to: Functions as a CPRS program specialist by participation in the evaluation and maintenance of the electronic health record as it relates to medication utilization. This would include the following: Serves as an active member on Healthcare System CPRS committees. Coordinates with Pharmacy to support pharmacy initiatives in pharmaceutical care and proper documentation of these activities. Works with other Healthcare System services in their efforts to develop and maintain decision supported medication ordering pathways. Identifies and investigates problems relating to the electronic health record and initiates corrective actions or procedures. Functions as an automation specialist for all pharmacy equipment used to package, dispense, and store pharmaceuticals. This would include the following: Assists pharmacy management in the assessment of existing pharmacy automation. When it is determined that acquisition of new automation is necessary, assists in the evaluation of market options, assists in contract development, and assumes responsibility, along with Clinical Engineering, for assuring that vendor contract obligations are met. Coordinates with inpatient and outpatient pharmacy supervisors, as well as pharmacy technicians, to support continuing operation of pharmacy automation. Identifies and investigates problems relating to pharmacy automation and initiates corrective actions or procedures. Functions as the primary person responsible for the request of VISTA, network, and application specific user accounts. Assures pharmacy staff members receive appropriate levels of system access initially and then as the nature of their appointments change. Possesses a wide range of knowledge of parenteral and oral forms of medication and their uses, interactions or incompatibilities with other drugs, dosage forms, recommended dosages, and basic pharmacology. Possesses knowledge of kinetic dosing models and how they can be incorporated into order sets/control systems to ensure safety. Troubleshoots user problems on computer or ADP issues; refers technical problems to OIT and Biomedical Engineering as appropriate. Works with OIT to maintain the VISTA pharmacy package. Is designated as the VISTA pharmacy package manager. Serves as Pharmacy Service representative to the BCMA Multidisciplinary Committee and represents Pharmacy Service interests and perspectives related to ADP issues. Serves on other committees as assigned by Chief, Pharmacy Service. Gathers and interprets data about Pharmacy Service work processes and suitable process redesign of management information systems to capture data about these processes. This would include monthly Reprint Audits and OIG Non-Control Monitors. Works with Clinical Applications Coordinators (CAC's) in developing CPRS ordering enhancements, pharmacy related quick orders and VISN developed MUE's and clinical reminders. Participates in beta testing of nationally developed software such as BCMA, inpatient medications and outpatient medications prior to national release. Troubleshoots the software following developed test plans. Maintains pharmacy computer databases (National Drug File, local drug file, users, adverse reactions/allergies, orderable item file, IV additive and solutions file and pharmacy ordering enhancements). Reviews all changes and updates to all pharmacy related software. Performs Fileman, SQL and ProClarity searches as requested by the Pharmacy Management team, or their delegates. As a government purchase card approving official, the Program Manager, Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist will ensure compliance with all VHA Handbook 1730.1 requirements related to the use of the government purchase card, retention, and applicable time frames. Supervisory Controls: The Program Manager, Pharmacy Informatics/ADPAC Specialist reports to the Chief of Pharmacy, administratively. This individual will work highly independent of direct supervision but will have responsibilities for projects arising from all Pharmacy Supervisors. (Clinical, Inpatient, Outpatient). The ADPAC will often confer with all Pharmacy supervisors to resolve particularly problematic issues. Preferred Experience: Prior experience with Pharmacy Informatics. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (1 hour); pushing (1 hour) reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours); standing (2 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). 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 or 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. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.