The Clinical Pharmacist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. The incumbent has key responsibilities in pharmacy distribution and operations, formulary management and medication safety. Responsible for reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness and implementing corrective action to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy.
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. Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, series and grades for all federal positions held, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. (Failure to provide an SF-50 that demonstrates one-year time-in-grade will result in disqualification from being considered) You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education (1) 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. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) (2) 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). 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). 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.Grade Determinations: GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:1. One(1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. Assignment. A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. These include, but are not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. 3. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. 4. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: Hospital experience. 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-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
Major Duties of GS12 Clinical Pharmacist include but are not limited to: Reviewing, interpreting, and verifying of inpatient or outpatient medication orders (non-controlled and controlled substances) for appropriateness drug selection, dosage, route of administration and quantity, prior to dispensing. Reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems. Obtaining patient health and medication histories. Processing and dispensing of inpatient and outpatient medications orders as appropriate. Performing medication reconciliation. Contacting prescriber as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions. Providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies. Filling medications or preparing IV admixtures as per USP <797> and <800> (piggybacks, large volume parenterals and chemotherapy) utilizing appropriate precautions and aseptic techniques in a timely manner. Ensuring prior to dispensing, medications are completely and correctly labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Interacting with other clinical staff, making recommendations regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective patient care. Providing drug information to medical staff and patients. Providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. Maintaining adequate drug stock, inspecting drug storage areas, supervising pre-packing and the operation of automated dispensing equipment. Notifying Supervisor or other designated person of actual or anticipated shortages of medications and supplies. Using computer systems and software to maintain reports and produce records. Working knowledge of automated dispensing cabinets. Assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, non-formulary reviews and medication usage evaluations. Documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs). Assisting in medical emergencies. Participating in Northport VAMC and VISN-level committees as assigned representing Pharmacy Service. Training newly hired employees, students of affiliated schools, and Pharmacy residents. Answering telephone calls, responding to inquiries, and providing timely customer service. Investigating drug recalls. Performing assigned CACHE activities Performing other duties as assigned. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 12:00 AM - 8:00 AM. Rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21V02-A