Summary
The clinical pharmacist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice. 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. The clinical pharmacist also applies standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
- Education: 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 at https://www.acpe-accredit.org/ (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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)
- (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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
- (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED) 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 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
- 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - or 2
- Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
- Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
- In addition to the basic requirements and experience - pharmacist assigned to this position must also demonstrate the following 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
- Physical Requirements: light lifting (under 15 lbs.) - walking - standing - both eyes required - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid may be permitted)
- Environmental factors include working closely with others and working alone.
Duties
- Duties at the GS-12 grade level include - but are not limited to: Finishing and Dispensing Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness - drug selection - dosage - route of administration and the amount - prior to dispensing
- Enters and process Choice and Fee basis prescriptions timely - accurately - and completely
- Finishes prescriptions while screening all patient profiles for therapeutic duplication - formulary compliance - allergies - drug-drug - and drug disease and drug-food interactions in addition to other tasks assigned daily
- Oversees and checks the completed work of technical and non-professional personnel and provides guidance when needed
- Ensures drugs dispensed are completely and correctly labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations
- Provides medication counseling to patients - or patient's representatives
- Implements the unit dose medication management systems in the medical center and CLC as required for after hours and weekends
- May rotate as needed to the IV section and assumes all duties of that position as required - including the compounding of chemotherapy and hyper alimentation
- Maintains a working knowledge of inpatient and applicable outpatient pharmacy automation programs as needed
- Clinical Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers - other health care professionals - patients and caregivers
- Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance or potential abuse
- pursues mediation and resolution when problems are identified
- Reports adverse drug events - near misses - and medication errors in alignment with VA reporting program and pharmacy reporting functions
- Executes resource stewardship through application of formulary alternative guidance - non-formulary consult review and completion - and restricted medication review and guidance for use
- Manages recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths and instructions of the same medication to equal the prescribed dose and schedule
- Competent in accessing patient information - documenting interventions and overall knowledge of CPRS
- Administrative Maintains a working knowledge of pharmacy cost control initiatives and actively participates in identified measures to accomplish pharmacy goals
- Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care in coordination with the healthcare provider in charge of the patient - in accordance with VA medical facility policy
- Attends and participates in pharmacy staff meetings - huddles - and other designated meeting - reviews all meeting minutes
- Implements committee policies regarding therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions - including appropriate patient and provider education
- Participates in development - implementation and management of programs which help optimize drug costs
- Maintains an understanding of VHA policies and procedures relating to pharmacy controlled substances and medication inventory accountability
- Maintains an understanding of applicable institution (non-pharmacy) Numbered memorandums
- Maintains an understanding of all applicable department policies and procedures
- Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students - externs - interns - residents - and professional and nonprofessional staff
- Takes an active role in formulary management - including non-formulary (Prior-authorization) entry into CPRS - conversions and initiating contact with providers to ensure compliance with the formulary
- Fills controlled substances prescriptions while complying with all DEA - VHA and local facility regulations and policies
- Professional
- Keeps technically current in pharmacy and medicine by self-instruction and routine attendance at conferences and seminars to insure that the professional obligations of this service are met
- Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services
- Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
- Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class - non-formulary - restricted and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention
- Assists in other patient care areas (including inpatient) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services
- 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
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm (occasional evenings - weekends - and holidays) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
