The Pharmacy Informatics Program Manager (PIPM) is responsible for developing and managing technology-based solutions which promote safe, effective, and optimal use of medications within the New York Harbor VA Medical Center. The Pharmacy Informatics PM has a diverse understanding of pharmacy operations, clinical practice, formulary and economic oversight, healthcare standards and regulations, and the application of data and information technology. 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. 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.) (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). Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Informatics Program Manager GS-13. Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. e. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["He/she requires the ability to apply a unique combination of pharmacist and informatics related knowledge and skills in order to successfully plan, implement and manage existing and future specialized pharmacy service automated data processing (ADP) applications. These include software programs for outpatient prescription dispensing, ward stock distribution, unit dose, IV admixture, narcotic dispensing, CPRS, BCMA, pharmacy procurement activities, automatic dispensing machines, inventory control and office automation/administration. The incumbent is responsible for gathering, compiling, assessing for accuracy, correcting, and reporting data including pharmacy costs, workload data and other patient care data. The incumbent is an important liaison between Pharmacy Service, Clinical Applications Coordinators, and the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T). He/she coordinates with Information Technology staff, and other application coordinators to implement integrated packages, resolve conflicts, provide secondary support on related software modules, and ensure smooth operations in areas where package scope overlaps or is integrated with other services' function. The incumbent performs process improvement, quality assurance and administrative functions as requested that are inclusive of proposals for improvements to or the expansion of clinical and operational pharmacy services. He/She serves on committees as assigned. The incumbent is also responsible for coordinating and providing expert training to pharmacy residents and staff on existing and new software applications. The incumbent works collaboratively with pharmacy managers and other healthcare disciplines to develop and implement local, VISN and National initiatives to improve patient care and cost efficiency. The incumbent is expected to maintain general knowledge of current therapeutic diseases state management practices, VA, DEA and TJC regulations as well as to keep abreast of changes within the pharmacy service. Additionally, the incumbent of this position is responsible for pharmacoeconomic program development, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Programs and program activities shall focus on: pharmaceutical formulary selection, formulary implementation, medication conversions, Medication Usage Evaluations, Medication therapy pathway assessments (economic and clinical), patient health outcomes, health-related quality of life assessments, medical education and information communication. The incumbent develops and coordinates pharmacy and Health Care System activities directed at the containment and reduction of drug therapy costs. Particular emphasis is to be on providing the most appropriate, safe, and cost-effective medication therapy to patients. This pharmacist will work collaboratively with the Associate Chief for Clinical Pharmacy Service, Pharmacy Supervisors, the Logistics Pharmacist and other health professionals as appropriate to continually review and implement cost effective use of medications. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24992-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
