Summary
The Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day planning, directing and coordinating the outpatient pharmacy service, including maintaining all aspects of pharmacy's involvement with accurate and timely processing of outpatient prescriptions. Responsibilities also include pharmacy benefits management, teaching/mentoring learners, supporting research, quality assurance, and staff development.
Duties
This position is a supervisory member of the pharmacy service, is a core member of the outpatient pharmacy management team and supervises several outpatient pharmacists and technicians. This manager reports directly to the Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations and collaborates closely with all members of pharmacy management team. A. Program Management Provides coordination of day-to-day activities of pharmacists, technicians, students, and volunteers assigned in outpatient pharmacy. Oversees the daily operation of outpatient pharmacy services including window and main prescription dispensing, repackaging, and special extemporaneous compounding. Assumes responsibility for the overall planning, operation and evaluation of outpatient medications delivered to the veteran. Establishes program goals and develops the operational plans and policies to achieve them. Assists procurement staff in the prompt and cost-effective purchase of medications and supplies and advises them of any unusual usage. Serves as a consultant within Pharmacy Service and with other facility health care staff in evaluating health care delivery to patients. B. Administration/Supervisory Directly supervises activities of the outpatient processing and dispensing area. Responsible for maintaining smooth work flow of day-to-day activities, and assumes responsibility of workflow performed under his/her supervision. Approves/disapproves leave requests, develops performance standards, trains or retrains, counsels, disciplines, evaluates and recommends employees for awards. Responsible for performance reviews for staff as assigned. Responsible for implementation, revision and interpretation of Pharmacy Service policies and procedures related to outpatient pharmacy and outpatient pharmacy contingency planning, and assures their compliance with USP 797, USP 800 and Joint Commission standards, and VACO directives and handbooks. The Outpatient Supervisor shares in the responsibility for recruiting and hiring qualified employees, as well as interviewing and selecting candidates for promotion according to federal laws, VA policies, and EEO requirements. C. Outpatient Clinical and Distributive Assists in the functions and responsibilities of all staff pharmacists and program managers. All staff pharmacist duties are part of the position. Provides some cross-coverage in outpatient pharmacy areas for urgent, unplanned leave and in enough frequency to assure clinical skills are maintained. Distributive: Reviews pharmacy orders to include patient information, dose, and route, frequency of administration, patient allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and priority. Resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutic and formulary issues. Documents interventions as appropriate. Coordinates with non-VA physicians and VA primary care team on the appropriate VA National Formulary medications to consider for patients that are transferring their care to VA. Finishes, inputs, and/or verifies information and orders in the computer system as assigned. Accurately labels and dispenses medications appropriately for areas of use (outpatient, unit dose, and IV). Ensures proper dispensing documentation is completed. Identifies actual or potential drug-related problems prospectively, thereby eliminating duplication of efforts, reducing medication errors and increasing patient satisfaction. Dispenses controlled substances according to current policies, procedures, and standards established by DEA, FDA, VA, and Joint Commission. D. Education Identifies continuing education needs of staff and, where possible, provides programs/resources to help meet the identified needs. Assures that all necessary employee orientation and training occurs to assure continuance of high quality services. Collaborates with the Clinical/Education Pharmacy Program Manager on pharmacy training and development, to promote the learning experience and improve the performance of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy residents and students. E. Quality Assurance Collaborates with outpatient management team to plan, coordinate, develop, and implement all quality assurance activities for the outpatient pharmacy program with a lead role in areas such as controlled drug dispensing, error rates, and wait times. Assists other program managers for other pharmacy programs. Monitors activity in the outpatient areas and other pharmacy areas as assigned, to see that data is gathered and reports are submitted in a timely fashion. Work Schedule: Variable Telework: Ad-hoc telework may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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.
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/.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.