Clinical Pharmacist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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Duties

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Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Clinical Pharmacist is to perform the full range of accepted ethical and professional practices of pharmacy, observing all legal requirements. Clinical pharmacist duties are also performed in complex tertiary care teaching medical center.

• Provides consultation to physicians and other healthcare professionals on basic information about drug therapy.
• Intervenes appropriately to increase effectiveness and minimize potential risks of inappropriate drug therapy.
• Evaluates patient or caregiver's ability to understand medication instructions and provides verbal and written counseling on his/her drug therapy and adjusts communication methods based on age and developmental considerations.
• Performs chart reviews patient encounters, physician and nurse encounters for the following: drug usage evaluation, clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required or other assigned clinical projects.
• Interpret laboratory values and applies knowledge in the evaluation of drug therapy and patient care. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed.
• Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Resolves problem and potential problem situations involving medication therapy verbally and/or in writing within the needed time frames.
• Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues according to established facility procedures.
• Consistently considering and accurately applying all available clinical data, drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to each medication order. Intervenes appropriately to increase effectiveness and minimize potential risks of drug therapy.
• Provides expert drug information to all customers and MEDVAMC staff that is accurate, unbiased and cost-effective while using current Drug Information resources, Medical Center Formulary, Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Guidelines and acceptable standards of practice.
• Documents drug information inquiries and responses, when appropriate, in a timely manner by signature in electronic health record (eHR).
• Performs greater than 50% of his/her time in a distributive capacity, to include evaluating physicians' orders as to appropriateness based on patient medication profiles, inputting information into VistA or verifying orders entered by healthcare providers, and dispensing medication in accordance with dosage form requirements to facilitate timeliness of discharge prescriptions, outpatient prescriptions and inpatient medication orders.
• Monitors patient's medication profiles to ensure that information is complete, correct and up to date.
• Dispense prescriptions for outpatient medication and medical supplies daily from inpatient pharmacy window, when necessary, in accordance with Medical Center and VA policies to eligible veteran patients.
• Performs greater than 50% of his/her time in a distributive capacity, to include evaluating physicians' orders as to appropriateness based on patient medication profiles, inputting information into VistA or verifying orders entered by healthcare providers, and dispensing medication in accordance with dosage form requirements to facilitate timeliness of discharge prescriptions, outpatient prescriptions and inpatient medication orders.
• Monitors patient's medication profiles to ensure that information is complete, correct and up to date.
• Participate in the training and orientation of pharmacy students, pharmacy staff and allied healthcare professionals.
• Maintains and improves professional competency by keeping up with information on new medications, new medication therapies, and innovations in pharmacy practices. The Pharmacist continually applies current drug information and program techniques in their daily practices
• Clinical pharmacists may be assigned topics for review and presentation at pharmacy staff meetings (new drugs or appropriate prescribing and use of old drugs or classes of drugs, etc.).

Work Schedule : 3:30pm-12:00am, with rotating weekends and holidays), subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 02128F and 02258F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact View email address on click.appcast.io, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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

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: View phone number on click.appcast.io, 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, or 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 as, 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.
    
    
    • 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).

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).

Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level).

GS11:Pharmacist

(a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS12: Clinical Pharmacist

(a) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:

• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, OR
• Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

Demonstrate the following KSAs: 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.

Preferred Experience: Preferred qualification: A minimum of two years of inpatient hospital pharmacy experience.

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

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: May be required to do excessive walking, standing, lifting, typing, writing, carrying, climbing stairs, kneeling, reaching above shoulders, pushing, hearing, and reading.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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 for 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.

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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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.