Temporary Operations Section Chief Jobs in California

Summary
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.
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Duties
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Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Pharmacy Service, the Associate Chief of Primary Care & Specialty Pharmacy is responsible for providing leadership, direction, organization, planning and implementation of clinical pharmacy programs and services for the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). VAPAHCS is a major teaching tertiary care referral center, affiliated with Stanford University Medical Center.
The Associate Chief has 11.0 FTEE direct reports; including 2.0 FTEE Pharmacy Supervisors (Specialist Section and Anticoagulation/Patient Aligned Care Team Section), 4.0 FTEE Pharmacy Facility Program Managers (Infectious Disease, Hematology/Oncology, Pharmacogenomics, and Training/Residency Program Director), and 5.0 FTEE Clinical Pharmacy Specialists (Hematology/Oncology, OP Infectious Disease, IP/OP Infectious Disease, Renal, and Neurology). This Associate Chief has 28.7 FTEE second level reports, consisting of highly trained Clinical Pharmacy Specialists and a Clinical Pharmacy Technician that are located throughout the VAPAHCS Palo Alto (Acute Care) campus and San Jose, Monterey, Livermore and Fremont CBOCs. We have well-established PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY2 PGY-2Psychiatric Residency programs.
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Performs the full complement of supervisory functions for the direct reports. Executive Career Field supervisory functions include but are not limited to the following elements: Leading People, Leading Change, Business Acumen, Building Coalitions, Results-Driven, Accountability. This includes mentoring and supervising the 2.0 FTEE Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Supervisors and 4.0 FTEE Facility Program Manager Pharmacists.
• Works collaboratively with the Chief of Pharmacy and the two other Pharmacy Associate Chiefs (Outpatient and Inpatient) to lead and direct the Pharmacy Service.
• Provides oversight and guidance to the PGY1 and PGY2 Residency Program Directors and direction of the residency programs.
• Performs process and performance improvement activities, to ensure optimal patient care in the inpatient setting.
• Ensures the successful attainment of clinical performance measures affecting the SAIL and HEDIS measures. Ensures accountability among staff in meeting performance standards by establishing and monitoring results-oriented performance metrics and addressing deficits in a timely manner.
• Manages operational and programmatic issues in an effective and timely manner and assures compliance with all applicable laws, VHA regulations, Joint Commission standards, as well as VAPAHCS and Pharmacy Service policies and procedures.
• Provides staff development through coaching, mentoring and supporting opportunities for learning.
• Fosters strong working relationships within the pharmacy service and outside of pharmacy. Collaborates directly with the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Integrated Primary Care, Chief Nurse of Ambulatory Care, Section Chiefs of the specialty areas (e.g., Neurology, Infectious Disease, Psychiatry, Hematology/Oncology, Pain, Whole Health, etc.).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 09939F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Requirements
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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.
• 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.
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.
• 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. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy). TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION.
  • 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). YOU MUST SUBMIT COPY OF FPGEC CERTIFICATION WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE.
• 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. YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF CURRENT LICENSE WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE.

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: Associate Service Chief, GS-14
Experience: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, you must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):.

1. Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals.
2. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues.
3. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs.
4. Skill in managing multiple and diverse people or programs.
5. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization.
6. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff

Associate Service Chief: Responsible for coordinating multiple programs in pharmacy service in a medical facility. Serves as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Service Chief. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and in compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies. Responsible for pharmacy utilization of resources and budget. Makes selections, assigns personnel, and serves as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential.
Preferred Experience: At least two years of Pharmacy Supervisor work experience, prior Clinical Pharmacy Specialist work experience, completion of a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, and ideally completion of PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency. Should have demonstrated experience supervising Pharmacy Supervisors and developing expansive clinical pharmacy services.
Reference: 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.
Physical Requirements: The work requires standing, light carrying and lifting (under 15 pounds); walking, bending, reaching above the shoulder, and ability to distinguish basic colors. The work also involves working around machinery with moving parts and working closely with others
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/.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.