The Clinical Pharmacist works independently under the direction of a supervisory pharmacist. The Clinical Pharmacist's primary responsibility is the utilization of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through direct interactions with patients and providers as well as the safe provision of pharmaceuticals and medication information in a timely manner. This pharmacist promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge and established policies. 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: 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.) 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. Grandfathering provision: 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). Physical Requirements: Outlined and below. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-12 grade level. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; walking, kneeling and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Simple grasping up to 4 hours; Sitting up to 8 hours; and Fine manipulation up to 8 hours. ["Clinical Provides timely responses to drug information requests from patient care providers and nurses Evaluates other care provider's orders for appropriateness of therapy, incompatibilities, side effects and interactions of drugs and drug products Appropriately interacts with the ordering provider or attending as needed. Utilizes patient care information systems such as EHMR to obtain critical patient data elements and to document pertinent patient care issues Directly involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes by direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Dispensing Responsible for verification and evaluation of licensed independent practitioners' medication orders/prescriptions and input of written orders, when applicable. Selects, compounds, dispenses, and fills a range of drugs including extemporaneous preparations, special formulations, ophthalmics, narcotics, investigational drugs, oncolytic agents, etc in inpatient and/or outpatient areas and follows appropriate quality assurance procedures as applicable. Ensures that drugs dispensed are completely and correctly labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Education and Training Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technician, pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and other medical center personnel as required Effectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers Administrative Ensures that work of the team is carried out on tours when no supervisory pharmacist is present. Acts as point-of-contact with Patient Care Services for resolution of time-sensitive nursing/pharmacy issues. Contacts additional staff, pharmacist or technician, to report for duty in the event of weapons of mass destruction (WMD )activation, and emergency or other situations where additional staff is necessary to perform the work at hand. Supervises the activities of support personnel and communicates with supervisory staff regarding issues that arise during the time period when no supervisory pharmacist is on site. Participates in the medical center and pharmacy service quality improvement programs. Research Participation in research activities must be in accordance with FDA guidelines and regulations and VHA policy. Coordinates the receipt and distribution of all drugs in an investigational and/or clinical evaluation status and maintains appropriate records regarding their use as applicable. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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