Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager)

Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Salary Range: $150535 - $195699 Per Year

Job Summary: The Medication Safety Pharmacy Program Manager is responsible for the Medication Safety program within Pharmacy Service. They are responsible for managing the Medication Safety program within Pharmacy Service and works collaboratively with Pharmacy Service to complete detailed investigations of events, implement recommendations from the Medication Event Team, and provide expertise associated with safety in all elements of the medication management process.

Major Duties:

• PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: Manages an effective Medication Safety program and coordinates efforts closely with the pharmacy leadership team. Performs facility reviews and assessments as recommended by VA and professional organizations to identify opportunities for medication management and medication safety process improvements. Represents Pharmacy Service on applicable patient safety task groups, including medication related RCAs, or recommends another designee as appropriate. Serves as a pharmacy liaison for the Patient Safety Forum and coordinates actions for Pharmacy Service from the Peer Review Committee. ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS: Assists in developing and maintaining a cooperative working relationship with other departments such that the overall activities and scope of pharmacy services rendered are carried out efficiently. Plans and implements Pharmacy Service quality assurance programs related to safety, and maintains records appropriately. This includes but is not limited to recommendations from the Medication Event Team, RCAs, specialized medication requirements, accrediting bodies, and others. Assists with the guidance and direction of the Pharmacy Service and assists in reviewing the work and projects of pharmacy residents and students. Actively provides insight and direction for safety-related activities within the department. PROGRAM MONITORING EVALUATION: Conducts necessary training, including coordination and evaluation of training for new pharmacy staff as related to Medication Safety. Maintains and implements internal control systems consistent with department guidelines to ensure optimal safety. Internal reports and information are submitted in a timely fashion when requested. Effectively gathers information from reports, analyzes the results, and implements as well as oversees any changes necessary to ensure the highest standards in patient safety and outcomes. CLINICAL FUNCTIONS: Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues; provides pharmacotherapeutic analyses, medication reconciliation, and documents interventions when appropriate. Conducts indirect and/or direct patient care activities using a clinically appropriate and consistent approach reflecting the philosophy of pharmaceutical care. Maintains a liaison relationship with medical and nursing staff by providing timely information pertaining to pharmaceutical supplies, medication usage, and compatibility information. EDUCATION: Serves as preceptor for Doctor of Pharmacy Students from the University of Illinois, College of Pharmacy and other educational institutions, when needed. Provides guidance and instruction pertaining to the practice of pharmacy and serves as a mentor. Educates patients, family members, and caregivers regarding proper use and storage of medications Provides patient educational materials and directly instructs patients on the proper administration, use, potential side effects, and contraindications of prescribed medication therapy. Collaborates with other healthcare providers and administrators to ensure compliance with currently established pharmacy and medical center policies and procedures. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00519F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Qualifications: 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: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education: 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.) TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED WITH CONFER AND DEGREE AWARD DATE OR, FOREIGN EDUCATION: 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). CERTIFICATE REQUIRED 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. (LICENSE REQUIRED) GS-13 Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Specialized experience includes but not limited to: Ensuring that quality assurance and auditing is completed when related to Medication Safety, for example through the Medication Event Team, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), specialized medication requirements (ex. Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy), accrediting bodies, and professional organizations such as Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and the American Society for Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP); Manages an effective Medication Safety program and coordinates efforts closely with the pharmacy leadership team; serve as a subject matter expert in compliance from accrediting bodies, including but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA), in order to maintain a state of continual preparedness. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the KSAs: 1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. 2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. 3. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. 4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. 5. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Assignments: Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Facility Program Manager: Manages 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 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. Preferred Experience: Completion of PGY1/PGY2 Residency in Medication Safety and/or at least 2 years of medication safety experience. 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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: There may be some walking, standing, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items.

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 05/14/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12952773. 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: 2026-05-14