Clinical Pharmacist

Summary

The Clinical Pharmacist is a multifunctional position with primary emphasis on handling routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)and national policies and regulations.

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Duties

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DRUG DISPENSING:

• Receives and accurately interprets written orders of physicians and dentists utilizing professional knowledge of drugs. All necessary clarification and corrections will be made prior to dispensing. Decisions regarding appropriateness will be based upon local and VA policies, professional standards and the latest available drug information. Documents that a corrective action, if required, was recommended. Reviews and maintains complete records of drugs and other pertinent information before dispensing and assures that the dose is within the therapeutic range and does not adversely affect the action of other drugs or conditions on the patient's profile.
• When assigned to outpatient area, oversees and participates in the prompt and timely processing of all prescriptions received. Provides education to patients upon request and when new medication, new dosage and/or new medication instructions are ordered by a physician. Will provide written recommendations for a continuing resolution of any problems in the drug distribution process.
• Correctly interprets and dispenses or supervises dispensing of all inpatient medications, including ward stock, automatic stock replenishment, unit dose and intravenous admixtures. All physician orders will be reviewed for correctness of dosages, route of administration etc. Provides inpatient medication in a timely fashion in accordance with the needs of the patient. Will provide written recommendations for a continuing resolution of any problems in the drug distribution process.
• Expertise in drug stability, reconstitution requirements, able to recognize incompatibilities, able to recognize overdoses and contraindications in orders. Will keep updated and will apply the latest sterile compounding techniques, the latest I.V. administration techniques, I.V. equipment and I.V. drug information reference sources. Will understand and apply the critical nature of infection control procedures and the importance of maintaining a clean, aseptic work area.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of policies, procedures, protocols and responsibilities and will be able to perform or supervise performance of all responsibilities assigned to pharmacy in the unit dose program.

CLINICAL FUNCTIONS:

• Utilizes a knowledge of the methods and procedures of clinical review of physicians' and dentists' orders. Communicates with patients regarding their medications.
• Provides accurate, unbiased and cost-effective drug information to professional health care providers utilizing a knowledge of adult and geriatric pharmacotherapy in psychiatry and medicine. Resolves drug related problems and questions in a timely and professional manner. Communicates questionable situations to the physician or nurse when necessary.
• Provides admission and discharge patient medication interviews or counseling for drug history, compliance enhancement, and pharmacotherapeutic plan development.

COLLATERAL DUTIES:

• Directs and inspects the work of subordinates involved in the technical and clerical functions of the pharmacy; maintains timeliness of workload.
• Orients and trains pharmacy staff, students and residents to ensure acceptable quality of work within areas assigned. Develops personal training plans and documents the course of training. Documents personal plans and accomplishments.
• Serves on medical center committee(s) when assigned and/or if opportunity exists.
• Maintains and reports required data on inventory, workload, dispensing records and drug use evaluation.
• Operates the computer programs and equipment required in each area of assignment.
• Participates in ongoing continuing education programs at the Medical Center in order to develop and maintain knowledge of adult and geriatric pharmacotherapy, Pharmacoeconomics, pharmaceutics, and hospital pharmacy.
• Understands of the hospital formulary system. Must be able to respond to a non-formulary request by suggesting a formulary drug as an alternative and must know how to handle special request items.
• Promotes basic clinical programs, departmental goals and objectives of an effective and efficient drug distribution. Maintains proper relationships with medical and paramedical personnel as well as non-professional personnel.

Work Schedule : Full time - Monday-Friday; On-Call and infrequent weekend potential

Telework : Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 00000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement, 06/04/2026.

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. (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.
• 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 :

GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist

• 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,
  2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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.

Preferred Experience: Minimum of 1-3 years of clinical pharmacy experience, preferably in a hospital or clinical setting. Experience with the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system is desirable.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Pharmacist Qualification Standard

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. Applicants must be able to distinguish basic colors.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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