Clinical Pharmacist

Position Overview 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 and accountability, provides patient drug therapy, and reviews use of drugs to enhance patient outcomes. 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. (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 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, or 2) Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. 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. These activities 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; - Reviewing the patient’s medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; - Contacting providers as appropriate; - Documenting recommendations and interventions; - Providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; - Taking health and medication histories; - Performing medication reconciliation; - Providing drug information; - Assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; - Documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); - Assisting in medical emergencies; - Providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr