Department of Veterans Affairs

Pharmacist (Associate Service

Fort Wayne, Indiana, Marion, Indiana Full time

Pharmacist (Associate Service

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Fort Wayne, Indiana, Marion, Indiana

Salary Range: $156477 - $203420 Per Year

Job Summary: The Associate Chief of Pharmacy, Operations acts as a representative for the Chief, Pharmacy Service. The Associate Chief is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating comprehensive and complex pharmacy activities at all VANIHCS sites through effective management of resources. The incumbent will assist the Chief, Pharmacy Service in ensuring that the Service meets all oversight standards and functions. The Associate Chief represents Pharmacy Service in the Medical Center.

Major Duties:

  • VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws This recruitment is for a duty station of either Fort Wayne, IN or Marion, IN per the incumbent's preference. Because VA Northern Indiana Health Care System is comprised of two primary campuses, the incumbent will be expected to work at least one day per week at the opposite campus in support of operations. The Duties and responsibilities of the Associate Chief of Pharmacy, Operations include but are not limited to the following: a) Administrative/Supervisory: 1) Provides advice, counsel, and instruction to individual supervisors and employees concerning technical and administrative matters. Assists with resolving conflicts and problems when requested by supervisory staff. 2) Functions as the primary contact for the pharmacy supervisors and program managers under their supervision. Acts as an advisor/coach and source of information and direction. 3) Participates in the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of suitable personnel in collaboration with Human Resources to maintain a staff that can effectively fulfill the needs of the service. Makes recommendations to the Chief of Pharmacy for the appointment and advancement of individuals. 4) Evaluates competency and performance of employees in an objective manner and implements effective strategies to improve performance. 5) Assists employees with their development; successfully delegates responsibilities to utilize employees to their fullest potential and giving them opportunities for a meaningful role in accomplishing Pharmacy Service objectives. 6) Ensures a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. 7) Ensures that Pharmacy Operations always has adequate staffing levels by deploying a strategic staffing model that minimizes premium pay utilization. 8) Meets all VHA and local requirements for managerial tasks, such as performance evaluations, personnel actions, EEO reports, and functional statement revisions. b) Program Management: (1) Performs all functions of the Chief, Pharmacy Service in a satisfactory manner during periods of leave coverage, as assigned. (2) Effectively manages all resources (i.e. personnel, fiscal, equipment, space) to achieve operational excellence and fiscal stewardship in conjunction with the Chief, Pharmacy Service. (3) In conjunction with the Chief, Pharmacy Service, formulates and prioritizes long and short-term goals for Pharmacy Service and ensures that these align with the goals of the medical center, VISN, and VHA. Develops action plans to accomplish these goals within established timelines. Works with other services to complete goals and improve collaboration. (4) Ensures compliance with VA policy and guidance and regulatory body requirements (i.e. The Join Commission, Office of the Inspector General, etc.). (5) Ensure Pharmacy Service policies and procedures are consistent with the current standards of professional pharmacy practice. (6) Functions as the Pharmacy Service contact for issues of safety within the workplace. Monitors working conditions to ensure a safe working environment for Pharmacy Service employees and patients. (7) Develops policies and procedures to ensure proper control for the compounding and dispensing of all therapeutic and diagnostic agents and supplies furnished. (8) Coordinates efforts to ensure the timely completion and submission of pharmacy-related reports and suspense items. (9) Accepts assignments from the Chief, Pharmacy Service for continuous improvement of Pharmacy Service activities. Effectively gathers, organizes, and interprets information from a variety of resources. c) Education: (1) Promotes staff development and training programs that improve the proficiency and performance of all levels of pharmacy personnel. (2) Assists employees and trainees with their developmental experiences. (3) Participates, as needed, in the orientation of new employees assigned to the service and the training of existing employees on implementation of new policies or procedures. (4) Ensures all Pharmacy Service employees complete required training and are knowledgeable about the mission, vision, and values of VANIHCS. (5) Oversees and ensures regulatory compliance of the pharmacy training program for advanced practice professional education (APPE) and intermediate professional practice evaluation (IPPE) pharmacy students. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The employee is administratively accountable to the Chief, Pharmacy Service, or designee, for professional licensure, competency, and continuing education. The employee performs additional duties as assigned by pharmacy management. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized by supervisor. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92667-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. (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). Preferred Experience: PGY-2 Residency Training in Psychiatric Pharmacy Grade Determinations: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. GS-14 (a) Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level Associate Service Chief/ Associate CMOP Director. Responsible for coordinating multiple programs in pharmacy service in a medical facility. Serves as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief. Develops 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. Responsible for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Makes selections, assigns personnel, and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential. Demonstrated KSAs. The KSAs shown below apply to all assignments at this grade level, and the specific KSA designated by an asterisk (*) applies to assignment 2 and 3. 1. Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals. 2. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues. 3. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs. 4. Skill in managing multiple people or programs. 5. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization. 6. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-13. Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate lifting, walking, bending, stooping, standing, pushing, and pulling. Ability to lift/push/pull light loads, carts weighing 40 pounds or more. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination. Normal range for hearing and vision.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/15/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12845732. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-15