Pharmacist (Medication Safety Officer - Facility Program Manager)

About the role

This Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager) functions as a Medication Safety Officer for the Pharmacy Service. This important leadership position will work collaboratively with Pharmacy, Nursing, and health care system leadership and staff.

The incumbent manages/coordinates all medication safety, performance improvement, and regulatory (e.g., VHA, DEA, Joint Commission, USP, EPA, etc.) compliance for the service.

What you will do

• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 11679-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact ***, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Learn more VA Careers - Pharmacy: The VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) has an immediate opening for a full-time Medication Safety and Compliance Pharmacy Program Manager to work at the Palo Alto Division.
• This pharmacy leadership position is responsible for all medication safety, performance improvement and regulatory compliance throughout pharmacy service across the whole healthcare system.
• Works collaboratively with Pharmacy, Nursing, Quality/Safety/Value (QSV) and Health Care System leadership, supervisors, and front-line staff.
• The VAPAHCS pharmacy provides comprehensive clinical and distributive pharmacy services to our 300-bed Palo Alto Acute Care hospital division, the Menlo Park extended care and mental health residential rehabilitation division, and Ambulatory Care clinics (primary care and specialty clinics) in the Palo Alto, San Jose, Monterey, Capitola, Livermore, and Fremont CBOCs within VAPAHCS.
• Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to: Co-Chairs the healthcare system Medication Safety Committee (sub-Committee of P&T) with a Nurse leader.
• This includes reviewing items to be brought to the committee; preparing the agenda, minutes and summary; coordinating the presentations; and providing follow-up to the requestors.
• Reports, drug safety information, and policies are presented to the committee.
• Serves as a back-up Secretary of the P&T Committee.
• Utilizes medication variance reporting tools and submits monthly and quarterly trending reports to pharmacy management and the Medication Safety Subcommittee for discussion.
• Problem prone or high-risk areas are identified and targeted for performance improvement with the involvement of the responsible section supervisor and staff.
• Reviews all adverse drug reaction reporting, evaluates monthly and submits to P&T for review/potential intervention.
• Ensures Pharmacy Service is compliant with all regulatory agencies having jurisdiction (e.g., VHA, DEA, Joint Commission, USP, EPA, etc.).
• This includes reviewing standards and requirements, assessing current level of compliance, working with Pharmacy Leadership team to identify actions plans to achieve compliance, facilitating implementation of actions, and reassessing compliance.
• Develops and revises all medication/regulation-related Health Care System policies.
• This includes independently researching the topic, coordinating the discussion with interested parties to obtain input and concurrence, writing/editing Health Care System Memorandum or Pharmacy Policy and Procedure Manuals, and routing policy for signatures.
• All applicable laws and regulatory requirements and professional standards of practice are incorporated into policies.
• Actively participates in all health care system medication related Root Cause Analysis and Medication Aggregate Review teams and works with appropriate pharmacy supervisors to identify potential improvement opportunities and facilitates their implementation.
• Actively participates in process improvement activities in a variety of roles (Facilitator, Champion, Member).
• Collaborates closely with Pharmacy Supervisors, Informatics/Pharmacoeconomic/Procurement Pharmacists, and front-line staff to see projects through to completion; as well as post implementation data collection.
• Precepts PGY1 Pharmacy Residents and pharmacy students on a Medication Safety/Compliance 5-week block rotation and Longitudinal Leadership rotation.

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

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.

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

Area of Consideration: Eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employee of the facility. 2.

All other VA employees. 3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

4. All other applicants. Note: Veteran's Preference is not applicable to VA employees of other Federal Agencies 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

• 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 DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• 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

Receiving Service Credit for 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. 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.