Licensed Pharmacist(Pharmacy Supervisor) - Procurement Program Manager

Veterans Health Administration • North Chicago, IL

10h • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations, and in coordination with other Pharmacy Department supervisors, the incumbent manages the pharmacy procurement program across two campuses, six pharmacy sites serving Department of War and Veterans Affairs facilities, and associated VA community-based outpatient clinics. The role performs analytical and evaluative work for Pharmacy Department programs, organizing and evaluating information to support data-driven decisions about pharmaceutical needs, facility and network goals, and optimal medication procurement and destruction.

The position oversees pharmacy procurement budgets, inventory, purchasing, and related administrative functions. It maintains accurate budget records, provides regular expenditure and forecast updates to upper management, and helps ensure adequate inventory without exceeding budget allowances. The incumbent independently plans and carries out programs and projects, supervises and evaluates staff, coordinates with peers and field representatives, and develops initiatives supporting patient safety and quality of care.

The incumbent manages fund-control transactions and purchase-card activities in compliance with applicable acquisition policies, oversees pharmaceutical and supply inventory and storage, coordinates with Logistics, Prosthetics, and Supply and Distribution, and supports regulatory compliance and security, including controlled-substance security. The position also recommends and helps develop departmental systems, policies, and procedures.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy; transcripts are required.
• Alternatively, foreign pharmacy degree graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including passing the FPGEE and TOEFL iBT; documentation is required.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration if required for licensure.
• Ability to effectively supervise subordinate staff.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
• Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards pertaining to pharmacy.
• Skill in managing people or programs.
• Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with patients and health care staff.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.
• Skill in monitoring and assessing drug-therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• Meet the applicable GS-13 pharmacist qualifications and demonstrate the stated GS-12 and GS-13 knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Meet VA pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation and physical examination; selected applicants are subject to required onboarding and other stated conditions of employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Prior pharmacy work experience related to procurement.
• Completion of a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency.
• Ideally, completion of a PGY-2 Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency.

Responsibilities

• Manage the pharmacy procurement program across two campuses, six pharmacy sites, and associated VA community-based outpatient clinics.
• Collect, analyze, and evaluate data related to medication procurement and destruction to inform management decisions and meet pharmaceutical needs.
• Maintain accurate budgets and provide upper management with regular budget updates, expenditure reports, cost analyses, stock usage information, forecasts, and information about drug shortages, recalls, and new-product cost impacts.
• Maintain sufficient pharmaceutical inventory to meet medical center needs without exceeding budget allowances.
• Independently plan, design, organize, and carry out programs, projects, studies, and other assigned work functions, including long-range planning and coordination with peers and field representatives.
• Plan, develop, and carry out initiatives that support facility, VISN, and VHA missions and the safety and quality of patient care.
• Assign, schedule, monitor, and evaluate subordinate staff in day-to-day operations.
• Manage daily fund-control functions, including processing 1358s, 2237s, and purchase-card orders to obligate pharmacy service funds.
• Serve as purchase-card approving official for Pharmacy Service and oversee purchases made by pharmacy procurement technicians.
• Comply with federal, VA, and local acquisition policies and regulations and make cost-containment decisions related to pharmacy transactions.
• Manage inventory of pharmaceuticals and supplies and ensure proper storage.
• Review CMOP backorders and rejects and adjust local inventory to meet patient needs.
• Prepare for the annual wall-to-wall inventory.
• Serve as liaison with Logistics, Prosthetics, and Supply and Distribution services.
• Recommend system-related changes to pharmacy administration to improve departmental productivity or Veteran patient care services.
• Monitor and support compliance with regulatory requirements, laws, standards, and departmental and hospital policies and procedures.
• Maintain security of the assigned area, including medication and controlled-substance security as required by VA and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
• Assist with recommending, drafting, and implementing departmental policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager