Lead Pharmacist

Position Objective: To provide expert leadership and clinical oversight within the Meds by Mail (MbM) program and Virtual Pharmacy Service (VPS), ensuring accurate, safe, and efficient prescription processing while maintaining compliance with all VA and federal regulations. The Lead Pharmacist will oversee clinical staff, contribute to quality assurance, and optimize pharmacy operations to support exceptional patient care.

Operational Hours: Eight (8) hour shifts between 6:30 AM - 7:30 PM Monday through Friday local time, subject to change based on workload.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review all medication orders for appropriateness, compliance or potential abuse;

patient’s allergy and adverse drug event history; drug-drug and drug-disease state interactions; drug selection; dosage; route of administration; frequency, patient  instructions for use, therapeutic duplication and quantity and days’ supply, number of refills, contraindications based on age all prior to prescription verification. 

• Ensure all medication orders are entered and verified in the electronic patient medical  record (VistA, Cerner, or designated system of record) and corresponding imaging  software (DAPER) or VA e-Rx software according to established policies and procedures.
• When appropriate, contact provider to resolve any medication- related issues and document recommendations and interventions in the designated system of record (e.g., Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS);
• Process prescriptions in assigned VAMC Pharmacy (VistA or Cerner) system remote pending file sites when scheduled.
• Process medications that are returned to MbM facilities, in accordance with MbM policy.
• Performs Pharmacist of the Day functions to handle escalated patient calls and requests from call center and technician staff.
• Report medication errors and quality issues in alignment with MbM Quality and safety reporting program.
• Shall provide counseling and teaching patients and significant family  members/caregivers regarding drug therapy and serve as a drug information source for  patients and healthcare professionals, providing timely responses to requests.
• Assist in scheduling, timecard corrections, answering questions from contract staff.
• Maintain records on background investigations, training on contract staff, reports.
• Responsible for day to day administration and coordination of contract pharmacist staff activities with other production areas.
• Performs various tasks involved with human resource management. Assists with training and education of personnel and ongoing evaluation of performance.
• Initiates corrective actions necessary for any conduct violation and monitors excessive tardiness or sick leave for contract personnel.
• Plans and publishes contract schedules in a timely manner, ensuring adequate staffing for the accomplishment of the MbM mission and makes recommendations on allocation of resources to increase efficiency.
• Monitors work output of contract personnel and reports any issues to MbM COR.
• Enforces appropriate training and/or disciplinary action for contract personnel involving medication errors (quality) in a timely manner, or below average production (quantity).
• Ensures mandatory training is completed timely by contract staff.
• Resolves problems and complaints of contract staff. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Valid, unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate of an Accreditation Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) accredited school or university.
• Proven knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with advanced professional pharmacy practice.
• Effective interpersonal communication and leadership skills.
• Basic typing skills, PC computer skills, and working knowledge of MS Office.
• Fluency in reading, understanding, speaking, and writing English.
• Must be located within the continental US, within 50 miles of a local VA Medical Center or VA CBOC if working virtually.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Capable of obtaining VetPro certification, which is a credentialing system that is required of all VHA licensed, registered and certified health care providers; Pharmacists who are licensed but have been subjected to disciplinary action of any type by their licensing authority within the preceding five years must be referred to MbM management before proceeding with the hiring action.
• Experience with VA pharmacy systems (e.g., CPRS, VistA) and VA formulary management.
• Board certification in a relevant pharmacy specialty (e.g., BCPS, BCOP).
• Prior experience in a mail-order pharmacy or high-volume prescription processing environment.
• Strong clinical judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively lead and motivate a team of pharmacists.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job, email us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

This position is contingent upon contract award.