Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager - Compounding & Management of Hazardous Drugs)

Veterans Health Administration • Johnson City, TN

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacist (Facility Program Manager - Compounding & Management of Hazardous Drugs) provides overall direction, coordination, and regulatory oversight for sterile and non-sterile compounded products and hazardous drugs. The role manages environmental controls for storage and compounding areas and oversees pharmacy personnel training and competency. The incumbent serves as facility Compounded Sterile Preparations (CSP) Advisory Committee Co-Chair and develops and implements policies and procedures to support compliance with USP Chapters 795, 797, and 800 and other applicable standards and requirements. The Program Manager also coordinates contingency planning with relevant facility services and maintains a Sterile Compounding Safety and Quality Assurance plan with Quality Management and Infection Prevention and Control.

The pharmacist applies clinical and operational pharmacy expertise, including medication distribution, IV admixture, order processing, pharmacy information systems, and automation. The role also provides medication therapy management and clinical pharmacy services, evaluates medication orders and prescribed therapies, supports patient education and care transitions, dispenses controlled substances, and may participate in research. The position identifies staff training needs related to compounding and hazardous drug management and maintains professional knowledge through continuing development.

This is a permanent, non-virtual position with no telework. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is a GS-13 role. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. A one- or two-year trial period is required.

Requirements

• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a BS Pharmacy and/or Pharm.D. degree, or meet the stated foreign pharmacy graduate education requirements through FPGEC certification, including FPGEE and TOEFL iBT.
• 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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, including management of a distinct program, policy development, quality resources, specialty functions, and coordination or management of complex pharmacy program areas; experience must be documented on the resume.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
• Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for the program area.
• Ability to solve problems and coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes.
• Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty pharmacy area.
• Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; comply with seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Meet application and onboarding requirements and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Meet the physical requirements of light lifting, walking or standing for up to eight hours, visual acuity to read typed print, and keen hearing (hearing aids permitted); use of a prosthesis may compensate for loss or impairment of a specific function.

Responsibilities

• Direct, coordinate, and ensure regulatory compliance for sterile and non-sterile compounded products and hazardous drugs.
• Manage environmental controls for storage and compounding areas and oversee pharmacy personnel training and competency.
• Serve as facility CSP Advisory Committee Co-Chair.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures supporting compliance with USP Chapters 795, 797, and 800 and other applicable laws, regulations, directives, and standards.
• Coordinate written contingency plans with Environmental Management Service, Engineering, and/or Biomedical staff to support continued operations or activation of contingency plans.
• Maintain a Sterile Compounding Safety and Quality Assurance plan in collaboration with Quality Management and Infection Prevention and Control.
• Develop and maintain pharmacy practice knowledge and skills in general and specialized areas, including oncology and infusion, to support patient care and operational efficiency.
• Review Prior Authorization Drug Requests.
• Provide medication management therapy using patient assessment, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic parameters.
• Review prescribed drug therapy for appropriateness; assess effectiveness, cost-benefit, adverse reactions, allergies, and drug-drug and drug-disease interactions; communicate and document recommendations.
• Evaluate and approve or disapprove non-formulary requests as assigned.
• Provide pharmacotherapy expertise to providers, pharmacists, nurses, and other disciplines.
• Educate and counsel patients and caregivers about medications.
• Respond to and assist with hospital codes such as Code Blue or Code MET.
• Review and verify medication orders for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with medical center medication-use policies; identify and resolve prescribing and dispensing issues and document interventions as needed.
• Assist with medication reconciliation and transitions of medication across the continuum of care.
• Dispense controlled substances accurately in accordance with policy, procedures, and federal statutes.
• Initiate and/or participate in research studies in assigned practice areas as appropriate.
• Maintain knowledge of developments in pharmaceutical compounding through continuous professional development.
• Identify staff educational and training needs related to pharmaceutical compounding processes and hazardous drug management.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree