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) is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and regulatory compliance of sterile and non-sterile compounded products and hazardous drugs. The role oversees environmental controls in storage and compounding areas and the training and competency of pharmacy personnel. The incumbent serves as co-chair of the facility CSP Advisory Committee, ensuring compliance with VHA directives and Joint Commission standards, and develops and implements policies and procedures supporting USP Chapters 795, 797, and 800, along with other applicable laws, regulations, and standards. The role includes developing contingency plans in collaboration with Environmental Management Service, Engineering, and/or Biomedical staff, and maintaining a Sterile Compounding Safety and Quality Assurance plan with Quality Management and Infection Prevention and Control.

The pharmacist also supports general and specialized pharmacy practice, including oncology and infusion, and may work in other areas to meet patient-care needs or improve operational efficiency. Duties include reviewing prior authorization drug requests; managing medication therapy; evaluating prescribed drug therapy and non-formulary requests; communicating recommendations to providers and pharmacists; counseling patients and caregivers; reviewing and verifying medication orders; resolving prescribing and dispensing issues; supporting medication reconciliation and transitions of care; dispensing controlled substances; and responding to hospital codes. The position may participate in research studies and maintains knowledge of pharmaceutical compounding through professional development. The pharmacist identifies training and educational needs related to compounding and hazardous drug management.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and Permanent Change of Station benefits are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility, application, and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible.

Requirements

• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); foreign pharmacy graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including FPGEE and TOEFL iBT requirements.
• Full, current, and unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration when required for licensure.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, documented on the resume, including management of a distinct program, policy development, quality resources, specialty functions, and coordination of complex pharmacy program areas.
• 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 program or clinical outcomes.
• Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or pharmacy specialty.
• Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must meet applicable background/security investigation and onboarding requirements; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Must meet application documentation requirements and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Must be able to perform light lifting; walk or stand for up to eight hours; read typed print with visual acuity; and hear keenly, with hearing aids permitted. Loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated by satisfactory use of a prosthesis.

Responsibilities

• Direct, coordinate, and ensure regulatory compliance for sterile and non-sterile compounded products and hazardous drugs.
• Manage environmental controls in storage and compounding areas and pharmacy personnel training and competency.
• Serve as co-chair of the facility CSP Advisory Committee and support compliance with VHA directives and Joint Commission standards.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures supporting USP Chapters 795, 797, and 800 and other applicable laws, regulations, and standards.
• Develop written contingency plans in collaboration with Environmental Management Service, Engineering, and/or Biomedical staff to support continued operations or contingency activation.
• Maintain a Sterile Compounding Safety and Quality Assurance plan with Quality Management and Infection Prevention and Control.
• Maintain knowledge of pharmacy operational systems and processes, including medication distribution, IV admixture, and order processing, as well as relevant pharmacy systems and automation.
• Develop and maintain pharmacy practice knowledge and skills, including specialized areas such as oncology and infusion, to meet patient-care needs and improve operational efficiency.
• Review prior authorization drug requests.
• Manage medication therapy using patient assessment, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic parameters.
• Review and evaluate prescribed drug therapy for appropriateness, effectiveness, cost-benefit, adverse reactions, allergies, and drug-drug and drug-disease interactions.
• Communicate and document medication 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, including Code Blue and Code MET.
• Review and verify medication orders for complete and correct patient and medication information, and check allergies, interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and priority.
• Identify, interpret, and resolve prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutic and formulary issues, and document interventions as necessary.
• 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 or participate in research studies in assigned practice areas as appropriate.
• Maintain professional knowledge of trends and developments in pharmaceutical compounding.
• Identify staff education and training needs relating to pharmaceutical compounding processes and hazardous drug management.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential annual leave accrual credit for prior federal service 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