Clinical Pharmacist

Summary The primary function of the incumbent of this position is to provide inpatient pharmaceutical care in the following specialty areas: Medicine – Oncology – Surgery – IV Therapy – Long‑Term Care – Ambulatory Care – Home‑based Care – and Psychiatry. The inpatient pharmacist interprets physicians' orders, dispenses medications, oversees drug availability/accountability, provides patient drug therapy, and reviews use of drugs to enhance patient outcomes. 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. 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). 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 (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.7402(d) – and 7407(d). Preferred Experience: None; 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‑12 (a) 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 2. Completion of an ACPE‑accredited Pharm.D. program (b) Assignments – A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication‑related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. Assignments Review, interpret, and verify medication orders for appropriateness. Process and fill medication orders. Interact with and make recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy to ensure safe and effective care. Review the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication‑related problems. Contact providers as appropriate. Document recommendations and interventions. Provide refill extensions and partial medication supplies. Take health and medication histories. Perform medication reconciliation. Provide drug information. Assist in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, non‑formulary reviews, and medication usage evaluations. Document and assess adverse drug events (ADEs). Assist in medical emergencies. Provide oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. 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: None. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/55 – Part II – Appendix G15 – Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements Heavy lifting – 45 pounds and over. Heavy carrying – 45 pounds and over. Straight pulling (2–3 hours). Reaching above shoulder – use of fingers – both hands required. Walking (2–3 hours). Standing (2–3 hours). Kneeling (1 hour). Repeated bending (intermittent hours). Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13” to 16” to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. Both eyes required. Ability to distinguish basic colors. Hearing (aid permitted). Mental/emotional stability. Duties VA Careers – Pharmacy: Receive, interpret, process, and fill medication orders. Complete order entries of chemotherapy protocols with scheduling of long‑term therapy for both oral and IV medications. Prepare chemotherapy products utilizing aseptic technique and trained protective guidelines. Participate in the check and/or double‑check of the entry and preparation of IV chemotherapy medications. Check and verify accuracy of work performed by students, technicians, and interns. Advise other members of the medical/surgical team as well as other health care providers on all matters relating to medication – contraindications, drug interactions, formulary medications, etc. Review the patient's medication profile for any possible drug allergies, incompatibilities, interactions, duplications, or compliance problems. Participate in evaluating new drug requests and non‑formulary requests for the inpatient pharmacy. Participate in quality assurance audits and drug utilization reviews. Ensure that Medical Center and Pharmacy policies and procedures are consistently followed. Collect and submit data necessary for the preparation of AMIS, quality assurance, and other management reports. Assist in developing and updating various medication‑related policies and operational procedures that affect the area of practice. Work schedule: Overnight shift – 8:00 pm until 8:30 am (7 days on, 7 days off). Work schedule subject to changes based on agency needs. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54824F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr