Pharmacy Informaticist

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The Pharmacy informaticist provides optimal pharmaceutical care and timely customer service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of VAMC Martinsburg. The incumbent is responsible for assessment, design, integration, modification, maintenance, and analysis of data, data management services, networking, and computerized medical record for Pharmacy Service and to assist and support Pharmacy Service managerial decision making.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Administrative Provides administrative, technical, analytical, and automated data processing (ADP) support to Pharmacy Service. Participates in Pharmacy Service information management and policy design. Evaluates current information management procedures and practices to determine how effectively current goals are being met and how services could be improved through changes in automation. Analyzes Pharmacy Service hardware and software needs, streamlines procedures and processes through information management automation, and new technology. Collaborates with Pharmacy Service Chief and Information Technology (IT) personnel to identify computerization needs and is responsible for compiling and submitting IT requests. Works effectively with these individuals and services to develop new Veterans Integrated System Technology Architecture (VISTA), Local Area Network (LAN) or Personal Computer (PC) programs or modify existing program to meet Pharmacy Service needs. Serves as liaison between Pharmacy Service, IT, Biomed, and Clinical Informatics. Identifies and translates Pharmacy Service needs/concerns/problems. Coordinates VISTA, LAN, and PC hardware and software installations and upgrades. Collaborates with VA information systems personnel to share information and participate in activities that will increase the quality of patient care through information systems management and automation. Must have a thorough knowledge of all VISTA pharmacy programs, VISTA service ­integrated programs, the graphical user interface (GUI) employed by VHA, VA FileMan, Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA). Program Management The incumbent leads Pharmacy Service in the implementation of the Federal Electronic Health Record. Ensures that systems are fully integrated, resources are utilized effectively and efficiently, and objectives are met. Makes configuration changes to hardware and software to meet evolving and complex computerized initiatives (CPRS, BCMA, Internet Refills, etc.) and Pharmacy Service needs. Creates computerized files, templates and databases to obtain automated clinical and administrative data used by the Pharmacy Service Supervisory staff to produce managerial reports for local, VISN and VHA. Actively manages the CPRS ordering menus to guide intuitive, safe, effective and cost­ conscious ordering of pharmaceutical products consistent with the VA National Formulary and national, VISN, and local initiatives. Works with the pharmacy technicians to troubleshoot hardware problems encountered within the service. Installs, troubleshoots, and otherwise maintains Drug Accountability software and the Controlled Substances Packages. Clinical The incumbent is able to perform the functions of a GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (as described in the Functional Statement for Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy Service GS-0660-12). Education and Research Develops, coordinates, implements and documents training on the operation of all Pharmacy packages and automation according to assessed need, for Pharmacy Service staff and assists in training providers from other disciplines regarding pharmacy package applications. Prepares appropriate instructional materials for training purposes as needed. The incumbent is responsible for keeping up to date of changes within pharmacy service (i.e.: formulary additions, deletions, changes, interdepartmental memoranda, policies and procedures) and maintaining a general knowledge of VA, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and The Joint Commission (T JC) regulations. Is skilled in using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others, including the ability to adjust communication based on age and developmental considerations. Work Schedule:

• 7:30am - 4:00pm
• 8:00am - 4:30pm

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off:

• 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available (ADHOC approval required) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 613-260558F

Requirements

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. 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 website at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005, ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree programs. Today, the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) 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 maybe appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part 11, Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(()). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must have one (1) year of creditable experience and demonstrate ALL of the following KSAs below. GS-13 Facility Program Manager. Experience Requirements: You must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: handling routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. Professional pharmacy practice; communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff; knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security; monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience listed above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Assignment: 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. 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. Physical Requirements: Position requires walking, standing, moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds), bending, and prolonged periods of sitting, as well as the emotional stability to handle stress deadlines and various problem situations.

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/.

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 evaluation/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.