Federal

Associate Service Chief

Veterans Health Administration Β· Department of Veterans Affairs
πŸ“ Birmingham, Alabama GS-14 $171,538 - $223,006/yr
Posted: May 12, 2026 Deadline: May 26, 2026 (Closes in 7 days)

About This Position

The Associate Chief, Acute Care Pharmacy Service is responsible for Β·managing and supervising the inpatient section of Pharmacy Service. Responsibilities include the management of multiple programs, including oversight of the inpatient clinical phannacy program, emergency department clinical pharmacy program, inpatient distributive pharmacy (inclusive of investigational drugs), and inpatient controlled substances.

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. 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: The grade determination for this announcement is GS-14. Preferred Experience: Applicant to have current or previous Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 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-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-14. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs) Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours);Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Hearing (aid permitted).Satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only.

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Major Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Program Management of Inpatient Distributive Services Manages the Inpatient Distributive Pharmacy Section program to ensure medications are dispensed in a safe and efficient manner. Ensures inpatient orders are processed in a timely manner consistent with TJC standards, VA requirements, and federal and state laws impacting on Pharmacy Service. Responsible for coordinating use of automated medication dispensing equipment.

Ensures optimal utilization of automated dispensing machines, unit dose packagers, and other inpatient automation, including coordination with nursing service as needed. Ensures maintenance of inpatient ordering and dispensing records in accordance with all applicable laws and standards. Responsible for oversight of IV Compounding program, including of Chemotherapy.

Ensures USP standards for cleanroom and IV admixture compliance. Program Management of Inpatient Controlled Substances Program, Pharmacy Service Oversees daily operations of the inpatient controlled substances program within pharmacy service. Ensures designated phannacy personnel complete controlled substance inventories as required by Federal and VA regulation and policies, Assists with balance adjustments, ensuring adequate justification and documentation.

Ensures daily internal destructions are performed and maintain all records per policy. Effectively maintains drug accountability of all controlled substances in inpatient pharmacy. Coordinates and implements the management automated dispensing devices.

Ensures maintenance of controlled substance dispensing records in accordance with all applicable laws and standards. Provides management reviews for discrepancies and diversion follow-up as required. Ensures pharmacy representation during Controlled Substance inspections in the pharmacy.

Program Management of Clinical Pharmacy Services Manages the Inpatient and Emergency Department Clinical Pharmacy program, ensuring program meets TJC standards, VA requirements, and federal and state laws impacting Pharmacy Service. Coordinates medication reviews where the drug regimens of patients are reviewed for appropriateness and the patients are counseled on compliance, side effects and other aspects of their drug therapy as related to age and medical condition and ensures these changes are recommended to the health care providers timely and appropriately. Provides disease state management for Emergency Department patients and inpatients and implements or recommends corrective actions to providers and documents in CPRS as appropriate for areas including but not limited to the following: appropriate laboratory monitoring parameters, drug-drug interactions and co morbidities, duplication of therapy, medication side effects, absence of an essential medication, drug allergies, occurrence of adverse events.

Coordinates the oral and written consultations with other health care professionals regarding drug therapy selection and management. Develops patient specific drug therapy management plans and therapeutic endpoints. Incumbent is expected to practice and maintain skills in the clinical care of patients.

Work Schedule: 8 hr. shift between 6:00am and 6:00pm with potential Weekend, Holiday, Evening, and Night (WHEN) hours Telework: Ad-Hoc telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS-369 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the Work Life Benefits team, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

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).

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.

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/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Additional Information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

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.

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 05/26/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12953847. 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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Resume Transcript Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Cover Letter License Other (1) Professional Certification Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.

You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.

Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Associate Service Chief position at Veterans Health Administration?
The salary range for this position is $171,538 - $223,006/yr. This is a GS-14 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Associate Service Chief job located?
This position is located in Birmingham, Alabama. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
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/.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is May 26, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.