Clinical Pharmacist

The Clinical Pharmacist handles routine medication-related activities to include, but not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders, processing and filling medication orders, interacting with and making recommendations to other 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. 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 as required by 38 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 ( 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: (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) 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 (, 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 § 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. 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 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which are listed in the basic requirement section, or Completion of an ACPE-accredited program. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 PART II APPENDIX G15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Pharmacy Program Management: Maintains work flow patterns that assure timely delivery of pharmacy services, ensures accurate dispensing and record keeping documentation, and oversees technical and nonprofessional staff in the ambulatory care, acute care, or CLC pharmacy setting. Effectively organizes workload, solves problems, and achieves established goals. Participates in quality improvement activities, pharmacoeconomic initiatives (, drug conversions), committees, and workgroups in support of the pharmacy service strategic plan. Provides patient care utilizing an advanced in-depth knowledge of ambulatory care, acute care, and/or CLC specialized areas of pharmacy practice. Oversees day to day maintenance and operation of pharmacy equipment and automation, such as Scriptpro, Pyxis, Parata, and BD Cato. Assists in assuring that pharmacy programs are compliant with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements (, Joint Commission, FDA, ASHP, OIG, etc..). Distributive: Review pharmacy orders to include patient information, dose, and route, frequency of administration, patient allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and priority. Resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutic and formulary issues. Documents interventions as necessary. Finish, input and/or verify information and orders in the computer system and dispense medication in accordance with dosage form requirements (outpatient, unit dose, and IV admixture). Identify actual and potential drug-related problems prospectively, thereby eliminating duplication efforts, reducing medication errors, and increasing patient satisfaction. Dispenses controlled substances according to current policies, procedures, and standards established by DEA, FDA, VA, and Joint Commission. Effectively utilizes the Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture (VistA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) computer systems and other automated pharmacy equipment and computer software systems. Clinical Program Management: The Clinical Pharmacist shall provide and support clinical pharmacy services, pharmacoeconomic activities, and is directly responsible for monitoring and managing medication therapy for assigned patients. Activities shall include: Responsible for ambulatory care, acute care, or CLC pharmacy activities involving highly innovative methods of health care delivery. Participates in a patient-focused, team-based multidisciplinary model of patient centered care to promote positive patient outcomes through direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. Evaluates appropriateness of pharmacologic therapy at clinic visits or during hospitalizations and as the level of care changes. Makes appropriate therapeutic recommendations and monitoring plans and documents the activities in the medical record via electronic progress notes. Provides drug information, observations on patient response to therapy, and develops appropriate recommendations regarding treatment alternatives or additional interventions to maximize patient care outcomes taking into consideration choice of therapy, safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics. Provides medication reconciliation and patient medication counseling verifying and documenting patient understanding of the medication, proper medication use, expected outcomes, how to obtain refills of the medication along with how the current prescription will be processed. Work Schedule: Variable hours Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]