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.
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. Education: Education: (Transcripts Submitted) (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 can 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). Grandfathering Provision. All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. 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 (Documentation Submitted): 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. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration, or certification. Grandfathering Provision. All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (3) If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. 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 Determination: GS-13 Grade Requirements:: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. e. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience : Completion of PGY-2-Pharmacy Residency in Ambulatory or PGY-1 Residency graduate with two years of PACT 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-13. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the duties of this position. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (up to 50 pounds) of supplies, bending/stooping, and pushing/pulling/stretching.
FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION Clinical: a. Provides comprehensive medication and disease state management services and prescribing medications and treatments in accordance with their scope of practice care. b. Functions as mid-level provider to design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definitive outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. c. Obtains comprehensive health history including but not limited to medication therapy, medical history, laboratory and diagnostic study results, and limited physical assessment. d. Orders, performs, reviews and/or analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other a member of the treatment team. e. Identifies patient-specific medication issues including, but not limited to, drug interactions, adverse effects, efficacy, appropriateness, medication safety concerns and adherence problems. f. Educates the Veteran and caregivers on disease state management and proper instructions, and provides oral and written counseling on their drug therapy. g. Orders consults (i.e. dietician, social work) as appropriate to maximize positive drug therapy outcomes. h. Completes pharmacy consults applying clinical knowledge in accordance with established policies and procedures Program Management a. Serves as a resource and expert in drug therapy knowledge and demonstrates skills in utilizing the evidence as it pertains practice area(s). b. Serves as a liaison between the Pharmacy Service and the assigned practice area(s). c. Responsible for managing all clinical pharmacy services within the assigned practice area(s) d. Maintains an expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards pertaining to pharmacy within the assigned practice area(s). e. Assists in the development of policies, guidelines, and protocols in practice area assuring they are consistent with current standards of practice, VHA Guidelines and Directives. f. Complies with VA, Hospital and Pharmacy Service policies and procedures relevant to the assigned practice area(s). Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. g. Represents pharmacy service in team meetings, facility, VISN, and national committees, task forces, and workgroups relating to the assigned practice area(s) as assigned by Chief of Pharmacy. h. Participates in quality assurance, process improvement activities, and performance monitors. i. Identify patients who may benefit from comprehensive Medication management through population management reports and during team huddles. j. Provides and promotes cost-effective pharmacy services, offering reasonable, appropriate alternatives to high-cost drugs. Education and Personal Competence: a. Communicates effectively with Veterans, co-workers, hospital staff and pharmacy management. b. Remains current with all required training, e.g. licensure, BLS, TMS, certification. c. Maintains and improves professional competency by keeping up with information on new medications, new medication therapies, and innovations in pharmacy practices. The CPP continually applies current drug information and program techniques in their daily practices. d. Maintains updated and current scope of practice and complies with requests from credentialing office. Completes all pertinence review by established deadlines in alignment with clinical practice evaluations. e. Provides pharmacy related education and reference materials to medical staff, nursing staff, residents, students, and other healthcare professionals in the assigned practice area(s). f. Attends and participates in clinical pharmacy activities, e.g., clinical pharmacy staff meetings, staff development, residency conferences, journal club. g. Engages in the training of pharmacy staff, residents, and students. h. Serves as an effective preceptor of residents and students as assigned. Serves as a role model and coach to help develop professional skills of the learner. Observes learner performance and provides clinical supervisor and feedback. Research: Supports the organization's research and education mission, including participation in residency research projects and contribution to the medical literature. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 71228-F EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V8_EDRP_Tampa@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Available