The Clinical Pharmacist's primary functions will be the interpretation and verification of physician's orders, patient medication profile review (allergy, drug interaction screens, etc.) providing drug and policy information to patients and medical center staff. The pharmacist also applies standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs. The incumbent will report to the Pharmacy Service at the Lee County Healthcare Center, Cape Coral, FL.
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: 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-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 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) 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. EXCEPTION - Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level (GS-11) as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. S7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed two (2) years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grades GS-12 and above, the candidate MUST be licensed. Failure to become licensed within two (2) years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment. 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). Grandfathering Provision. See "Additional Information" in this announcement for specific information regarding the Grandfathering Provision. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Grade Determinations for Pharmacist - GS-0660-11 Experience, Education, and Licensure. No post-educational experience, education, or licensure is required at the GS-11 level beyond the Basic Requirements. Assignments: Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity. Grade Determinations for Pharmacist - GS-0660-12 (Full Performance Level) Experience -OR- Education. In addition to the Basic Requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, -OR- 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; etc. (please see the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): Pharmacist assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of experience working in a VA outpatient pharmacy setting as a licensed pharmacist. A minimum of one (1) year of experience processing VA Community Care Prescriptions and eRx. Completion of PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0660-LicensedPharmacist.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving stating or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking. Additionally, occasional lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies may be required, and bending, stooping or stretching. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 for additional information.
The Clinical Pharmacist carries out the following duties and responsibilities subsequent to establishment of a working diagnosis and initial treatment plan by the patient's provider(s) and in accordance with accepted standards of practice or the pharmacological management guidelines established by the Medical Advisory Panel (MAP): Duties may include but are not limited to: (PLEASE NOTE: Duties with an asterisk * following the bullet denotes responsibilities at the GS-12 - full performance level) Clinical When finishing outpatient prescriptions and/or inpatient medication orders, reviews available medication profiles for appropriateness of therapy, contraindications to drug use, therapeutic duplication, allergies, adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, evidence of drug use/misuse/abuse, compliance, and formulary adherence. * Manages various actions, as appropriate, for medication orders to include: flagging prescriptions, managing view alerts, using the "hold medication" function, and generating unsigned discontinued orders using Service Reject. When appropriate adjusts medications by discontinuing and/or generating new/renewed prescriptions for items other than Controlled Substances with the verbal or written approval of a physician or authorized prescriber. * Adjustments are made based on review of patients' physical signs and symptoms and any relevant clinical and/or pharmacokinetic data available. Provides pharmacokinetic consultation, including dosing vancomycin and aminoglycosides, in accordance with local policy. Completes medication histories including patient interviews. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA ADERS reporting program. Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUEprogram). Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care per facility policy. Extends refills until next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per facility policy. Serves as a role model and preceptor to pharmacy students and residents. The pharmacist is responsible for maintaining his/her professional competency by keeping abreast of current medical and pharmaceutical literature, new drugs and therapies, and applies this knowledge in his/her daily duties. Education Educates patients on the purpose, proper use, and expected outcomes of prescribed medications. Uses suitable oral, written or audiovisual communication techniques, and verifies through direct feedback, the patient's and/or caregiver's understanding of information presented. Provides both written and oral drug information to physicians, nurses and other associated healthcare professionals. Acts as clinical institutional instructor for professional or technical level pharmacy students and assists in the training of new technicians and pharmacists. Provides in-services to pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals when required. Participates in or attends continuing educational programs. Ensures that all facility mandatory training (e.g., fire and safety, prevention of sexual harassment, customer service and prevention of violence in the workplace are accomplished within established timetables and properly documents in service training files. Administrative and Supervisory Pharmacy Service Policy and Procedures, VA Regulation and state and federal Pharmacy laws will serve as operational guidance. Performs any duties and or special projects deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service. * Responsible for the daily operation status of the various aspects of the pharmacy programs. Prioritizes work and makes administrative decisions when supervisory pharmacists are not available, or in instances where immediate decisions are required. * Supervises technical support staff as needed. Distribution Responsible for the safe and appropriate distribution or dispensing of medications. Ensures that all Pharmacy Service and other regulatory policies are compliant with in regards to medication labeling, inventory management, formulary management, PBM initiative, equipment maintenance and timeliness of service. Provides supervision of Pharmacy support staff in the conduct of distributive functions. Consults with patients and healthcare system staff whenever there is a question concerning therapeutic or policy matters regarding outpatient and/or inpatient providers orders. Work Schedule: Will be required to work variable tours of duty including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD20222F and PD21887F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized