CareerPharm®

Summary

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 - as well as applying standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs.

Qualifications

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 31 - 2026 or until the position is filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be December 29 - 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. *** 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 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 - 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 InternetBased 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
• 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. § 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 (Entry Level) Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet one of the following: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - or Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience or education candidates must demonstrate all of the following 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
• Preferred Experience: 1 or more years of experience
• Hold an active U.S. State Pharmacist License Strong clinical judgement and effective decision-making skills
• Completion of a ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
• PGY1 Residency
• 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: Must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain - corrective lenses permitted) - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - manual dexterity
• This position may require reaching above shoulder-level height and requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds)
• This position requires long periods of sitting - standing - and walking
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Major Duties and Responsibilities of the Position Outpatient Pharmacy Functions Ensures efficient and timely workload management of the local prescription pending file and act as a liaison and resolve problems as they arise with this program
• Responsible for cost saving opportunities by actively being involved in formulary management activities
• Evaluates medication orders and medication profiles for appropriateness of therapy
• Responsible for the safe - accurate - and appropriate distribution or dispensing of medications within the medical center
• Inpatient Pharmacy Verifies electronic orders entered by the physician for accuracy while performing a prospective drug utilization evaluation taking into account drug-drug interactions - drug-allergy contraindications - drug-disease interactions - and dosage form
• Ensures indication is listed on all medication orders for patients admitted to any unit of the Sheridan VA Medical Center.-Ensures therapy duplication is minimized and instructions given to nurses for specific use when duplication is ordered
• Ensures that information such as generic name of drug - manufacturer's name - lot number - control number - shipment number - etc. - are properly entered into unit dose packaging machine and are recorded on log books and on labels - when appropriate
• Clinical Functions Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by completing medication histories including patient interviews
• Completes medication reconciliation including updating the medication profile to reflect an accurate - active list of VA and non-VA medications
• Provides oral and/or written communication with other health care professionals regarding drug therapy selection and management
• Monitors and assesses drug therapy - communicating the findings and any recommendations for medication changes to appropriate clinical providers for final approval - and documenting appropriately in CPRS
• Sterile Preparation of Intravenous Admixture Solutions Applies rigid aseptic techniques in preparing sterile solutions
• Performs scheduled cleaning and training to ensure compliance with USP 797 and 800 requirements
• Oversees and double-checks all technician IV preparations
• Controlled Substances Ensures inventory discrepancies are resolved prior to dispensing - and notifies the Chief - Pharmacy Service or designee as soon as discrepancy is discovered
• Fills controlled substances in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy according to established policies and procedures
• Distributes inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances according to established pharmacy procedures and policies
• Follows all VHA - DEA - and Pharmacy policies and procedures regarding controlled substances and notifies Chief - Pharmacy Service or designee of any discrepancies
• Inventory Understands more advanced inventory principles and works closely with procurement tech and Chief - Pharmacy Service in effectively managing inventory levels
• Receives supplies - checking for shortages - tampering - breakage - deterioration - or expiration
• Selects proper storage area
• Equipment Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including ScriptPro outpatient pharmacy automation - unit dose packaging machines - and inpatient pharmacy automation equipment
• Utilizes all pharmacy equipment according to manufacturer - facility - and service policies and procedures
• Academic/Teaching/Training Provides leadership - guidance - and consultation to staff throughout the Medical Center and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)
• Responsible for the self-development and education necessary to maintain licensure and stay current with the practice of pharmacy and Joint Commission standards
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:00a.m
• - 3:30pm Telework: This may be authorized for telework - situational (ad hoc) and has NOT been authorized as virtual or remote
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55973-0 / 55974-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.