Pharmacy Informatics Program Manager

Summary

The Pharmacy Informatics Program Manager is responsible for the health system-wide design, build, implementation, and support of all medication use technology-based processes in clinical information systems and providing leadership, direction, organization, planning and implementation of Informatics under the direction of the Chief of Pharmacy Service, and in concert with other supervisory personnel within Pharmacy Service.

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Duties

Program Development, Maintenance, and Report/Tool Development

• Leads development of facility-wide standardized data capture and service delivery for responsible programs. The incumbent is responsible for developing mechanisms for monitoring compliance with associated performance measures as well as developing a system for standardized outcome assessment across programs.
• The incumbent will assist in the development of health informatics tools that will be used to appropriately monitor clinical care processes, and improve population management, outcomes, and the safety of VHA patients. In addition, the position involves analysis and resolution of operating problems (hardware, software and user-related). Advises Ol&T employees regarding unresolved problems within and beyond the facility and assists Ol&T employees in resolution of those problems.
• Evaluate VHA databases, develop monitors and assist with establishing reporting tools.
• Interface with internal customers to identify, develop and implement appropriate data tools, including reports and dashboards for data tracking, trending, analyses, and projections.
• Develops and maintains reports and tools to assist facilities and stakeholders in identification of pharmacoeconomic initiatives allowing for monitoring of progress.
• Develop, implement, and manage standardized processes across the VISN to facilitate collection of accurate, detailed, and useable data relevant to the current and anticipated needs of the pharmacy operational, clinical, pharmacoeconomic and academic detailing programs.
• Develop and validate data extraction/collection processes for data analysis and documentation needs including workload/resource utilization, operational efficiency, costs, clinical, value determinations, performance metrics, safety, budget, and ad hoc reporting as required.
  
  

Data Analysis and Report/Tool Development

• Develops and maintains reports and tools to assist service line leadership in evaluating workload, fiscal and performance measure data, operational efficiency metrics, pharmacoeconomic initiatives, and other ad hoc reporting as required.
• Assists in the development of health informatics tools that will be used to appropriately monitor clinical care processes, clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and improve population management and the safety of VHA patients.
• Oversees the design and development of tools and mechanisms to document the outcome(s) and value associated with clinical pharmacy interventions and pharmacoeconomic activities.
  
  

Pharmacy Information and Automation Systems Support

• Serves as a subject matter expert for pharmacy information and automation systems.
• Serves as the primary resource for coordination and implementation of patient information systems including package and software updates, pre-­implementation testing, and activation of new systems, software or EHR packages.
• In collaboration with pharmacy leadership, manages all aspects of pharmacy information and automation system implementation and support, including identifying solutions for a particular need, analyzing competitive options, coordinating with vendors for installation and go-live, and assisting with end ­user training and support.
• Coordinates with internal and external service lines and program managers to implement best practices related to medication order entry and processing, including order menu and pathway build.
  
  

Education

• Educate facility staff on implementation and use of software, systems, processes, and tools, including new staff and provider orientation and training.
• Educate and train appropriate staff in the use of data tools for tracking, trending, and analysis.
• Serve as an expert resource of informatics information for pharmacy staff. Maintain knowledge of current informatics advances and challenges through literature and training/education.
• Comply with all departmental and hospital professional/non-professional educational attendance and documentation requirements.
  
  

Customer Service

• Treats internal and external customers with respect. Responds to the needs of the service in a courteous and timely manner.
• Demonstrates appropriate and proactive interpersonal skills to achieve the goals of the service. Acts as a team member and is supportive of the group's efforts at all times.
• Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality.
  
  

Clinical Pharmacist Functions

• The individual can perform the functions of a GS-12, Clinical Pharmacist, as described in the functional statement of Clinical Pharmacist, GS-0660-12
  
  

Work Schedule: 7:30a - 4pm, M- F. Subject to change based on the needs of the service.

Telework: Ad-hoc

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

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:

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  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:
• 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/.
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  NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. 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).
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  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: GS-13 Facility Program Manager

• Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• 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.
  
  

GS-13 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 6 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. Pharmacists assigned to this position 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.
  
  

Preferred Experience: PGY-2 trained in Procurement/Informatics/Data Analysis; Navigated a similar position with the same requirements in either the VA or Federal realm.



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: The work involves long periods of sitting and sedentary work involving computer­ based processes and analysis. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern for staff and patients.

Education


IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.



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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.