The clinical pharmacist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. The incumbent is responsible for analyzing real and potential drug-related medical problems 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. 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. 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). 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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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). (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. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. (b) 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 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Major Duties: A. Clinical: Performs comprehensive medication reconciliation of patient profiles prior to discharge from the hospital. To include a complete review of current inpatient medications, and remote data as applicable to ensure that the medication profile at discharge is up to date and completely reconciled prior to discharge. Conducts patient counseling prior to discharge and documents encounter, as outlined below: 1. Collect a complete list of current medications from discharging service including dose, frequency, duration of therapy, and indication for use, for each patient prior to discharge. 2. Validate and update the list to include medications that will be added, medications that will be continued, and medications that will be discontinued at time of discharge. 3. Compare the validated/updated list to the providers discharge instructions and discharge medication orders. 4. Make recommendations regarding drug therapy based on the comparison of the medication list and the provider's orders, knowledge of patient's medical condition, and patient's refill needs. 5. Document the above information in the patient's electronic chart. 6. Provides consultation to physicians, nurses and other health care professionals concerning drug therapy. 7. Evaluates patients' medications and the patients' ability to understand medication instructions, while providing oral and written counseling to clarify or reinforce the patients understanding. 8. Monitors dosages of medication and intended therapy utilizing information and facts available. 9. Addresses physician pharmacy consults for aminoglycoside and vancomycin dosing. 10. Addresses herbal/non-VA med consults and renal function consults. 11. Involvement in Quality Assurance Programs as to the instructions of immediate supervisor. Validates and updates patient allergy information in the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Validates and updates patient Averse Drug Reaction (ADR) information. Documents and reports medication errors and near misses as directed by the facility policy. Plans and provides patient related clinical pharmacy drug information and associated pharmacy support services in assigned areas and takes responsible and appropriate actions to promote the most optimum and cost-effective drug therapy. B. Dispensing 1. Evaluates provider orders for appropriateness based upon patient medication profiles, medical history, age, and physical status. Consults with the prescriber or other provider when appropriate. 2. Verifies medication orders accurately through VistA and CPRS. 3.Supports staffing for the outpatient or inpatient pharmacies as needed. 4. Provides quality control analysis for dispensing activities of automated dispensing equipment or pharmacy technicians. 5. Takes appropriate action on all medication orders including non-formulary, compounds, and out of stock items. 6. Resolves problems associated with the drug distribution process lost prescriptions, unusual usage patterns or inadequate availability of dosage forms and/or strengths of medication. C. Formulary Management 1. Participates in the development of policies, procedures criteria for use, guidelines, and recommendations related to drug therapy. 2.Reviews non-formulary or restricted medication requests and approves or disapproves those requests based on predetermined medical center criteria for use or appropriateness of clinical application. D. Training, Education, and Personal Competence 1.Completes all training assigned in the VA Talent Management System (TMS) by the due dates. 2.Follows all infectious disease precautions. 3. Provides in-service education programs to pharmacists, pharmacy residents, pharmacy interns, pharmacy students, nurses, medical students, and other health care professionals. 4. Participates in continuing educational programs within the medical center and in in-service programs with the Pharmacy Service. 5. Maintains competence by participating in staff development programs. 6. Assumes responsibility for self-development in learning about new medications and current changes within the practice of pharmacy. E. Security 1.The pharmacist will maintain strict security over all medications in the pharmacy and medication storage areas within the hospital. 2. The pharmacist will maintain the security of the pharmacy, restricting access to only essential personnel. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday second Shift 1230-2100 with rotating weekends and holidays and includes covering 3rd shift as needed to ensure continual service of the Inpatient Pharmacy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40870-F