Clinical Pharmacist

Clinical Pharmacist Duties

The duties of the Clinical Pharmacist include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as a second level supervisor in directly overseeing the work of technicians, pharmacy residents, or other non-professional employees in assigned area. Has the responsibility of maintaining smooth work-flow of day-to-day activities and assumes responsibility of work performed under his/her supervision.
• Knows and follows administrative requirements of all pharmacy sections as outlined in policies and procedures covering narcotic control, formulary, investigational drugs, and general procurement procedures, proper dispensing and storage of medications, security guidelines. infection control, etc. Provides collateral documentation for appropriate tasks as required by Pharmacy policy and procedure. Provides direct oversight of daily duties of pharmacy residents, technicians and students and is responsible for smooth work-flow of activities in assigned area. Assures quality control of technicians' work through inspection of work upon completion. Works with Pharmacy Technicians by overseeing the filling of Unit Dose Carts, preparation of IV admixtures, and filling of prescriptions. Provides supervision with input on performance of pharmacy residents. Communicates effectively with peers and subordinates even under the most stressful circumstances.
• Makes recommendations to the Chief, Pharmacy Service on needed changes in policy and procedure as appropriate.
• Reviews and interprets prescriptions and/or provider's orders for accuracy, eligibility, allergy assessment, availability, and therapeutic appropriateness. Reviews patient medication profiles, contacts providers and makes authorized changes in orders or prescriptions as required. Fills prescriptions/orders in a timely, accurate manner.
• Assures on-going Controlled substance and investigational drug accountability through accurate dispensing and maintenance of administrative records. Is familiar with agents being investigated and serves as consultant to providers and nurses when questions arise about investigational drugs.
• Exercises final technical authority over all professional pharmacy matters with which he/she individually deals, except those which affect pharmacy policies and programs and are outside Pharmacy's domain.
• Compounds and dispenses all extemporaneous preparations, even those which require a high degree of technical and pharmaceutical knowledge. Develops special formulas as required.
• Processes all CLC pass medications accurately and in a timely manner when assigned to that area.
• Processes Pharmacy orders into the VISTA Pharmacy Programs in a timely manner when assigned. Performs other data processing work as required (for example, printing IV active order lists, ward lists, scheduled IV labels, medication profiles, etc.).
• Coordinates such activities as prepackaging, labeling, stocking, and distribution of medications to assure uninterrupted supply of medications.
• Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, pharmacy residents and students. Uses appropriate references to research drug information.
• Reviews patient medications ensuring medications have appropriate diagnosis, dose, route, interval and have no significant drug interactions, incompatibilities or duplications in therapy. Recommends appropriate drug therapy changes based on review and on standards of care and patient response. Practices formulary management, ensuring most cost effective and therapeutically appropriate medications are utilized based on individual patient needs. Ensure non-formulary medication usage is appropriate according to VA policy and standards of care.
• Reviews patient medications on the medical and surgical units and the cure CLC when assigned. Attends multidisciplinary rounds and other meetings for medication review in these areas and serves as consultant for pharmacy-related questions as assigned.

Work Schedule: Rotating tours of duty, holidays, and weekends. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Telework: Not Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 586-01443-F; 586-00291-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.