The Pharmacoeconomics Program Manager will develop and coordinate pharmacy and healthcare system activities directed at the containment and reduction of drug therapy costs. Emphasis will be placed on providing the most appropriate, safe, and cost-effective drug therapy to patients. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
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. 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/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) School transcripts must be submitted with your application. OR, 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). A copy of the FPGEC certificate must be submitted. 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. An active copy of unrestricted license to practice pharmacy must be submitted. 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). All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of June 7, 2012 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-13 Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, candidates must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). AND Applicant must meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below: 1. Ability to effectively supervise subordinate staff. 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. 3. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards pertaining to pharmacy. 4. Skill in managing people or programs. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. (VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II Appendix GX15 effective 7/7/2012. Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standards GS-0660-13.) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing/sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs., and bending/stooping. The work may entail repetitive wrist movement while using various size syringes, vial cap removal, and typing.
Duties include but are not limited to: Manages all aspects of Pharmacoeconomics to include policy development, quality resources, and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize cost effectiveness and patient outcomes. Develops, organizes, coordinates, and manages Pharmacoeconomics within the medical facility. Continually identifies and implements strategies to optimize the cost-effective evidence-based pharmacotherapy in the Medical Center. This includes, but not limited to, the implementation of VA clinical practice guidelines, tablet splitting endeavors, procurement, and drug availability. Continually reviews economic impact and compliance with these endeavors, and provides input to the Chief, Pharmacy Service. Actively participates in the development of the VISN formulary to promote literature-based cost-effective drug therapy. Serves as a backup to Pharmacy Service Section Supervisors in monitoring medications for backorders or manufacturer discontinuations. Monitors Consolidated Mail Order Pharmacy (CMOP) communications for logistical issues and potential cost-savings opportunities. Responsible for national contract compliance, to include tracking and trending usage and providing recommendations and support for implementation. Validates and monitors local performance measure reports. Designs and implements strategies to meet performance measures as outlined by the Chief, Pharmacy Service, and VISN Pharmacy Executive. Designs and implements conversion strategies due to cost-savings opportunities, evidence updates, or manufacturer backorder and discontinuations. Conducts prospective/retrospective drug use evaluations of high-use, high cost, or high-risk drugs. Prepares and reports analysis of data, make recommendations for corrective action, and develop education programs/interventions that would alter aberrant prescribing or work patterns. Conducts reviews after medication conversions for quality assurance in regards to safety, clinical, and economic outcomes. Provides information and educational programs using a variety of verbal and written communication techniques (e.g., in-services, newsletters, one-on-one encounters) directed to the development of the pharmacy staff (including students and residents), other healthcare disciplines, and patients that are requested or would be beneficial to patient care. Refers patients to educational programs provided at the medical center by multidisciplinary teams if applicable. Acts as a source of drug information for health professionals through direct response to specific inquiries concerning medications and therapy. Creates an environment to stimulate, encourage, and support the participation of pharmacy personnel in providing drug information to the medical center staff and other facilities as deemed appropriate. Documents all interventions in accordance with standard procedures for purposes of outcome and cost-impact assessment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm; tour may be adjusted to meet medical center and patient care needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000