Clinical Pharmacist

About the role

The Inventory and Procurement Clinical Pharmacist will develop, organize, coordinate, manage, and lead the pharmacy inventory management and procurement functions within the Sioux Falls VA Healthcare System and develop, coordinate, organize, manage and maintain a complex pharmacy inventory and procurement system directed at the containment and reduction of drug therapy costs at all point of care.

What you will do

• Develop, implement and manage programs to optimize drug therapy costs.
• Monitor VHA contract pricing and account compliance to optimize procurement of the most cost-effective agents.
• Assist in cost usage analyses of high cost medications to identify high usage areas and usage trends.
• Consult and advise pharmacy leadership regarding inventory management.
• Monitor and report on status of pharmacy expenditures and identifying significant changes.
• Provide direct oversight of standard processes for the accountability of expired or soon to expire medications held for return for credit and ensures all items are secured and monitored.
• Process outdated, unusable and excess inventory for return and provide the financial oversight.
• Assure the proper pharmacy storage of all pharmaceuticals and supplies and coordinates purchase and record keeping of REMS medications.
• Lead department efforts to strategize response to pharmaceutical shortages in a standardized fashion.
• Develop and update policies and procedures defining operational requirements of all aspects of pharmacy inventory management and procurement execution.
• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) in Pharmacy Inventory Management and participe in various levels of committees and workgroups.
• Prepare regular computations and drug budget forecasting for department and regularly updating leadership.
• Utilize extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical primary and alternate procurement sources.
• Provide leadership and guidance regarding controlled substance storage, accountability and destruction.
• Oversee processes for integrating new medications (to the facility) into standard systems and processes.
• Prepare for annual wall to wall inventory and DEA biennial inventory functions.
• Serve as liaison between Supply Chain (Logistics) and Prosthetics departments.
• Oversee compliance with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act.
• Utilize continuous quality improvement methods to detect and define problems and implement corrective action and improvement plans.
• Serve as liaison to CMOP QA Pharmacist to manage kickback orders, rejections and delivery arrangements of special pharmacy products.
• Provide backup to Pharmacy Informatics program managers on items pertaining to drug file maintenance.
• Provide backup to other program managers for medication shortages, Hazards Emergency Cache functions and drug recalls.
• Collaborate with Pharmacy management and Patient safety on pharmacy related training and development.
• Participate in development and implementation of drug education/clinical consultation to medical, surgical, nursing and pharmacy staff.
• Interface with other health care providers and administrators to ensure compliance with established pharmacy policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicate complex clinical and technical issues.
• Participate in self-development activities.
• Determine staff development needs and develop programs to enhance pharmacist and technician understanding and implementation of quality and safety programs.
• Assist in training of pharmacy employees and as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents.
• Collaborate with other clinical pharmacists on pharmacy training and development.
• Participate in facility developed or supported mentorship programs.
• Provide appropriate selection of drug therapy based on pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitoring for efficacy, side effects and clinical outcome; and advise prescribers as appropriate.
• Provide patient specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicate relevant findings and or recommendations to other health care providers in charge of the patient.
• Perform continuous evaluation of prescribed medications, Provide medication counseling to patients.
• Complete medication histories and patient interviews.
• Serve as drug information resource.
• Participate in patient evaluations.
• Perform medication reconciliation at all transitions of care.
• Assess drug safety and efficacy.
• Report adverse drug events.
• Manage recalls and medication shortages.
• Maintain adequate drug stock.
• Supervise support personnel activities.
• Ensure dispensed drugs are correctly labeled and packaged and in compliance.
• Remain within compliance of all laws and directives relating to all manner of purchases.
• Verify fund availability prior to making purchases.
• Accurately input orders and reconcile payments timely and as directed by policy.
• Ensure compliance with all privacy laws when transmitting information Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000 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 (***).
• 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

Important: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current, permanent VA employees of the facility All other VA 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.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Recommended - In writing: demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) - See "Qualifications" section of announcement Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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.