Clinical Pharmacist

Summary

A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. These include, but are not limited to reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care.

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Duties

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Duties:

• Fosters productive and cooperative working relationships by showing understanding, courtesy, tact, and politeness to others
• Regularly cooperates with coworkers and others in meeting commitments and accomplishing assigned work on time
• Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments including supporting co-workers when work is done.
• Routinely displays courteous and tactful behavior. Projects a positive and professional image of Pharmacy Service
• Provides courteous, cooperative, and timely service to patients, visitors, and staff, demonstrating good oral and written communication. This includes identification of self and department, tact, self-control, patience, and discretion in dealing with the public, patients, fellow employees and management and projecting a positive image of Department of Veterans Affairs (i.e. customer service, good communication with co-workers and veterans)
• Obtains medication histories from patients, provision of patient instruction regarding the safe and appropriate use of drugs, and documents findings in the medical record.
• Monitor drug therapy regimens, including routine analysis of patients' drug therapy, medical problems, laboratory data, and specialized procedures, and correlates these analyses with others responsible for the patient's care as warranted.
• Analyzes drug treatment regimens for potential adverse drug reactions (ADR), drug interactions, or contraindications; assesses the clinical significance of the analysis and identifies any drug-related problems that may be affecting the patient or contributing to the need for utilization of health care i.e., (hospitalizations, clinic visits, additional drug therapies).
• Serves as the initial entry point for recording and reporting of medication errors and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Addresses patient and staff concern, assisting with problem solving for all issues within their ability. Reports feedback to supervisor in a timely manner
• Maintains good workflow patterns to insure the provision of prompt, accurate drug distribution services to patients.
• Reviews prescription orders for completeness and adherence to Medical Center Policy, VHAs directives, and Federal Regulations. Reviews data for correct patient, medications, strength, directions, quantity, day's supply and number of refills. Screens for allergies, duplicate therapy, and Drug-Drug interactions. Assures that all information is correct prior to finishing the prescription for dispensing
• Ensures that compounds are made and dispensed accurately and efficiently with pharmacists being final check prior to mixing or compounding. All items are checked prior to mixing then are compounded in accordance with policy and are properly logged in the compounding log with all appropriate documentation included
• Oversees and evaluates work performed by pharmacy technicians, volunteers, or work/study students for accuracy, completeness, and appropriateness.
• Inputs information into VistA and CPRS computer systems to maintain accurate patient medication records, write electronic progress notes, and document adverse reaction/allergy data/ medication errors
• Supports medication dispensing and administration processes through utilization of ScriptPro® technology
• Works to maintain good workflow by counseling patients who present to pharmacy for any pharmacy service. Assesses patient medical record, history, and any current situations identified in counseling session. Will intervene when necessary to contact prescribing health care provider for any issues with prescription order(s)
• Responsible order review, verification, and assessment of all IV admixture orders to determine order appropriateness for unit, and patient; compatibilities, order duplication, cost savings, and completeness of orders prior to dispensing to the veteran
• Working knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance of all automated equipment in the pharmacy (e.g. Omnicell, ScriptPro,)
• Knowledgeable about contingency plans and all departmental SOPs for automation
• Notifies Pharmacy ADPAC/Alternate ADPAC immediately, if interfaces are down

VA Careers - Pharmacy :

Work Schedule : Rotating days, evenings, weekends and holidays

Telework : Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required

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

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.
• 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).
• 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. A pharmacist who has, 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

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 :

GS-11: Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-12: Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:

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

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

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 PART II APPENDIX G15

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11 and 12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript is REQUIRED must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.