Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatient)

Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding • Battle Creek, Michigan, USA • 1w ago

Summary

The primary function of this clinical pharmacist is to assure the safe and appropriate use of medications and be an advocate of rational drug therapy through the following: evaluation of the appropriateness of drug therapy based on patient specific factors; individualization of drug therapy; evaluation - dispensing and providing medications - and drug information; responsible for analyzing real and potential drug-related medical problems to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy.

Qualifications

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
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)
Exception
Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. Â§ 7405(c)(2)(B)
The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist
For grade levels above the GS-11 - the candidate must be licensed
Grade Determinations:GS-11 Pharmacist Experience - Education - and Licensure
None beyond the basic requirements
Assignment
Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity
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
Examples of experience include 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
or 2
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
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-11 to GS-12
Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion
The physical demands of the work includes moderate lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 44 lbs. - pushing and pulling of large medication carts - light lifting of under 15 pounds - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required) - walking up to 4 hours - standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time - kneeling - repeated bending/stooping - climbing - use of legs and arms - operation of vehicle/motorized cart - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 - specific visual requirement - ability to read fine print on labels - depth perceptions - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors - hearing (aid permitted) - clear speech - and emotional stability.

Duties

Major duties include - but are not limited to: Clinical i
Reviews patients' medication profiles and medical records as necessary for appropriate drug selection - dosing - contraindications - side effects - potential drug interactions - and therapeutic outcomes as required
Able to interpret routine laboratory values and to apply that knowledge in the evaluation of drug therapy and patient care
Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment regimens as needed
ii
Provides timely responses to drug information requests from patient care providers and nurses
iii
Provides counseling to patients on drug-drug interactions - adverse effects - food-drug interactions - product availability - and pharmacy policies
iv
Processes patient prescriptions to maintain a timely discharge from Urgent Care or inpatient units
v
Processes prescriptions in the outpatient queue at a regular and reoccurring daily basis
vi
Participates in multidisciplinary review of patients - evaluates pertinent laboratory data - drug and drug-nutrient interactions - monitors for adverse drug effects - and screens for allergies
vii
Reports adverse drug events (ADE) - near misses - and medication errors in alignment with local policies and procedures
viii
Reviews and evaluates orders for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance based on established criteria and/or clinical judgement
ix
Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUE) program as assigned
x
Has expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and able to make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings and local policy
xi
Manages various actions - as appropriate - for medication orders to include - but not limited to: alerts - consults and queue management
Dispensing i
Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness - drug selection - dosage - and route of administration prior to dispensing
ii
Ensures all medications orders are entered into the electronic health record
iii
Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance - potential abuse or diversion
Concerns will be addressed with provider as appropriate
iv
Provides oversight and maintains knowledge of technical staff in all aspects of pharmacy and pharmaceutical care
v
Ensures that all orders are verified and filled in an accurate - timely manner
vi
Responsible for the preparation of compounded sterile products according to USP standards and local policy and procedures
vii
Maintains adequate drug stock - inspects drug storage areas - supervises prepacking and the operation of automated dispensing equipment
viii
Ensures drugs dispensed are completely and accurately labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations
ix
Responsible for proper handling of hazardous substances in full compliance with USP standards and local policy and procedures x
Maintains appropriate records and completes reports as necessary
xi
Process outpatient medication orders and discharges as required
xii
Inputs medication allergy data when information is provided by patient/care giver/provider
xiii
Enters or removes non-VA medication data when information is provided by patient and/or caregiver
Education i
Completes all required training in a timely manner
ii
Responsible for maintaining his/her professional competency by keeping abreast of current medical and pharmaceutical literature - new drugs and therapies
iii
Effectively instructs patient and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices
iv
Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others
v
May serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students and/or pharmacy residents
vi
Assumes an active role in staff development of peers and provides educational in-services to nursing - medical staff and to other ancillary services - as requested
Green Environmental Management System (GEMS): i
Ensure compliance with applicable environmental requirements - to prevent pollution and conserve resources
ii
Enhance our image with regulators - patients - the public - and stakeholder groups through the careful handling of medications throughout the dispensing process and through the appropriate handling/sorting/routing of outdated medications to be set aside for destruction or routed for credit
iii
Shall follow all policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and requirements and be a good steward of the environment through pollution prevention - waste minimization and resource conservation
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-2000 alternating shifts
Every 3rd weekend 0800-2000 alternating shifts Telework: Not available Functional Statement #: 93690-A - 93691-A