Pharmacist (Associate Service Chief Outpatient Pharmacy)
About This Position
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.
You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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. 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.) 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. *Must provide copy of licensure in application packet* Physical Requirements: Details outlined below. Grandfathering Provision: 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).
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: To qualify for the GS-14 grade level, you must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Examples of experience may include, but is not limited, to the following: Ability to negotiate to influence clinical and management decisions. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
Skill in managing multiple people or programs. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff.
Preferred Experience: Outpatient Pharmacy Experience, Supervisory Experience. In addition, candidates must meet the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's): Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs. Skill in managing multiple and diverse people or programs. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15. 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 at the GS-14 grade level. Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary in nature.
Work requires moderate lifting, walking, bending, stooping, standing, pushing, and pulling. The employee will be required to sit at a computer monitor for long periods of time in order to complete the duties of the position. Pre-employment physical examination will be required.
Major Duties
The Associate Chief is responsible for providing supervision, professional, administrative, and clinical leadership and guidance to multiple, diverse programs at the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System. The ACCE is responsible for providing pharmaceutical services to outpatient Veterans served by CAVHCS and for the professional and administrative activities supporting these services. Supervises program managers, supervisors, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, administrative staff, pharmacy residents, volunteers, on-the-job trainees, and pharmacy technician students.
Performs or delegates an entire range of personnel functions for the Pharmacy staff Serves on Medical Center, VISN, university and national committees assigned by the Chief and/or CAVHCS leadership. Applies knowledge, judgment, and experience to guide committee decision and actions. Develops and maintains effective procedures for outpatient pharmacy oversight, including filling, shipping, productivity, community care prescriptions, interpretation and implementation of national program office guidance, serving as a liaison between Pharmacy and other services, and acting as an SME for outpatient practice topics.
Teaches and guides supervisory staff in solving problems, adapting to procedural changes, and implementing new technological changes. Provides oversight and evaluation of new automation initiatives within the Pharmacy Service and coordinates these projects with other affected services in the Medical Center. Develops and maintains effective, high quality pharmacy programs designed to maximize pharmacotherapeutic benefits from patient outcomes and cost perspectives Recommends program changes to enhance patient care programs, documents cost savings and maintains or improves quality of care.
Ensures the adherence and education of the national medication formulary as determined by VHA Pharmacy Benefits Management. Provides a wide range of drug information and advice to the professional staff, including written and verbal information on therapeutic agents. Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives.
Participates in the execution of all CAVHCS pharmacist training programs (e.g. IPPE, APPE, PGY1/PGY2 residencies), including intimate knowledge of accreditation requirements. Works with program directors, managers and supervisors to promote learning experiences and improve performance levels of Pharmacy personnel.
Promotes the development and implementation of pharmacy-based research, providing leadership and assistance to research activities in Pharmacy. Supervises projects required by pharmacy residents and students. All other Duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62030F EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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 identification 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
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/.
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
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 07/17/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12998916. 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: Resume 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. License CV/Resume Other (2) PCS Orders Professional Certification Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript