Lead Pharmacist

Summary

This is a U.S. Public Health Service position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Clinical Services Division, Medical Services Unit. This is a non-supervisory position.

This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.
Civilians are not eligible for this position.

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Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Leads the provision of all on-site pharmaceutical services at the specified detention facility with >50% of time spent on clinical tasks. Pharmaceutical program leadership includes setting the goals, objectives, and direction for the pharmacy program at the assigned facility and leading a team of 1-3 contractor pharmacists and/or pharmacy technicians. Plan and organize their own work, ensure equitably balanced workload among the on-site pharmacy staff members, provide instruction and orientation to pharmacy staff, set and adjust short-term priorities, prepare schedules for completion of work, and provide guidance and mentorship to interdisciplinary junior staff to develop clinical judgement, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
2. Dispense prescription drug orders in accordance with agency formulary and policy and procedures. Exercises independent judgment in reviewing patient prescription orders for appropriateness, including drug-drug, drug-disease, and drug-allergy contraindications and precautions. Judgmental failure could seriously affect the health status of one or more individuals.
3. Provides direct clinical care services to detainees within the delineated scope of practice in their Physician-Clinical Pharmacist Collaborative Practice Agreement in conformance with established criteria and guidelines, accreditation standards, and agency policies and procedures. Assignments, including patient panel and collateral duties, are usually long-term, recurring, or broadly defined. Work is reviewed periodically for effectiveness in meeting quality assurance and compliance standards.
4. Provides pharmaceutical care services, including drug information, medication therapy consultation, and advice to other health professionals on complex patient problems, at the highest level of independence; utilizes extensive knowledge base and flexibility to adapt to unusual circumstances requiring variations in approach, and in the presence of incomplete or conflicting data.
5. Performs comprehensive medical histories and physical examinations and exercises independent judgment to make diagnosis(es), develop and implement treatment plans and document encounters in the patient's medical record. Decision-making authority includes determining need for specialist referral(s), prescription medication(s), special needs accommodation(s), and follow-up schedule. May implement court-ordered examinations, interventions, or monitoring. Provide medication counseling and information services directly to patients to ensure that they understand their medications, how to take them, and appropriate outcomes of their drug therapies.
6. Manages pharmaceutical inventory, including maintaining appropriate quantities and temperature requirements and replenishing after-hours and emergency stock, in accordance with IHSC policies and procedures. Conducts monthly inventories of all controlled substances and inspects all clinic areas where pharmaceuticals are stored.
7. If a Medical Housing Unit (MHU) is onsite, may admit, discharge, and perform daily rounds on patients who require higher levels of care or monitoring.
8. Collaborates with contacts within the Department on a routine basis to coordinate medical care services for patients, as well as to develop and implement processes to improve public and population health.
9. Participates in ongoing quality assurance and performance improvement activities including audits, chart reviews, and development of review criteria.
10. Participates in the Clinical Pharmacist Peer Review process, and as an active member in one or more institutional committees which may include Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Infection Prevention, Critical Care, or others as designated.
11. On a monthly basis, reports pharmacy workload and expense information, including accomplishments, problems and measures taken for resolution, meetings attended, and facilities visited to the local H.S.A, the respective Regional Chief Pharmacist, and the IHSC Chief Pharmacist.
12. Provides temporary duty (TDY) coverage to IHSC staffed facilities and special missions as needed. All staff must be available for an entire month, or two 16-day periods, each year to support the IHSC TDY On-Call (ITOS) Program.
13. Completes all required training and attends on-site, regional, and national meetings as required.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.
  Civilians are not eligible for this position.

Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. The position is located in a hazardous duty environment.
2. Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
3. Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
4. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
5. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging patients or staff exiting the building(may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than oneself).
6. Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary.
7. Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
8. Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
9. Must perform the duties of my job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. PharmD. degree and two years of professional experience as a pharmacist. Degree must be from a program that is accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.
2. Candidates must have a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
3. National Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (NCPS) Certification.
4. Expertise in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and all management aspects related to the practice of pharmacy in a clinic/infirmary setting.
5. Possesses necessary skills for operating general office technology including Microsoft Office products.
6. Possess knowledge of grammar, spelling & punctuation to identify and correct errors to ensure accurate copy.
7. Possesses knowledge of and is competent in understanding and communicating pharmaceutical nomenclature including generic, chemical & trade names, Latin abbreviations, dosage forms, drug strengths, formulations & English-Metric equivalents.
8. Competent in data entry and ability to work with & analyze numbers, including bookkeeping& basic accounting skills.
9. Competent in the use of office machines including photocopiers, calculators, and personal computers.
10. Competent in the application of computer programs to facilitate management operations in a clinic environment.
11. Maintains CPR/BLS certification
12. Possesses ability to work efficiently, accurately & organized in a fast-paced environment.

Additional information

Incumbent serves as the lead pharmacist and is responsible for the provision of a full range of pharmacy services at the assigned facility, including management responsibilities related to the operation of the pharmacy policies and procedures as stated in the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) Pharmaceutical Services and Medication Management Directive and Guide. Incumbent serves as the local subject-matter-expert on pharmaceutical care and pharmaceutical delivery systems and collaborates with local and regional clinical and administrative leadership to inform and develop local policies and procedures.

IHSC provides direct care daily to approximately 15,300 non-citizens housed at 20 designated facilities throughout the nation. The health care provided includes medical, dental and mental health care, and public health services. IHSC provides medical case management and oversight for an additional 22,600 non-citizens housed at approximately 112 non-IHSC staffed detention facilities daily across the country. In addition, IHSC oversees the financial authorization and payment for off-site specialty and emergency care services for non-citizens in ICE custody. The ICE non-citizen population is approximately 34,000 non-citizens on a daily basis, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, surpassing 400,000 non-citizens annually. IHSC provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground and at sea.

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT:

U.S. Public Service Commissioned Corps officers are detailed to Department of Homeland Security as described in a Memorandum of Agreement.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The Lead Pharmacist works under the supervision of the Clinical Director (CD). Assignments of a professional nature are long-term and broadly defined in terms of objectives, priorities, and deadlines. Completed work is only periodically evaluated for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to professional standards and PHS requirements. Procedures for performing some work are established, but the incumbent has significant independence to implement changes to benefit facility operations and detainee health. In cases where IHSC policies and guides are non-specific, the incumbent is required to exercise judgment in the selection and application of appropriate guidelines and originality in developing appropriate solutions.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be selected for an interview at the hiring authority's discretion. You will be notified of selection or non-selection.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position. A complete application includes:
  
  U. S. Public Health Service Officers
  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
  2. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
  3. Professional license. (If applicable)
  4. Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
  5. Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
  6. Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
  7. A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
  8. *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
  9. For IHSC USPHS officers only, a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
  10. Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement.
  New Call to Active Duty
  1. Cover letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
  2. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
  3. Professional license. (If applicable)
  4. Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
  5. Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information)
  6. CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
  7. U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email.
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.
  
  The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/30/2024.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
  
  To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
  
  Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
  
  Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  
  
  IHSC Recruiting
  
  Email
  
  IHSCRecruiting@ice.dhs.gov
  
  Address
  
  ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service
  
  500 12th Street SW
  
  Washington, DC 20536
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position. A complete application includes:

U. S. Public Health Service Officers

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
2. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
3. Professional license. (If applicable)
4. Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
5. Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
6. Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
7. A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
8. *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
9. For IHSC USPHS officers only, a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
10. Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement.

New Call to Active Duty

1. Cover letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
2. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
3. Professional license. (If applicable)
4. Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
5. Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information)
6. CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
7. U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.

The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/30/2024.

PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

Agency contact information



IHSC Recruiting

Email

IHSCRecruiting@ice.dhs.gov

Address

ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service

500 12th Street SW

Washington, DC 20536

US

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Criminal history inquiries
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request

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