Outpatient Staff Pharmacist

Summary Syracuse VAMC is recruiting for one Outpatient Staff Pharmacist. The Outpatient Staff Pharmacists process, fill and check Outpatient medication orders, monitor patient drug therapies, and provide drug information. Outpatient Staff Pharmacists supervise and direct support personnel. These activities and services include the provision of pharmaceutical care to include the cost effective use of pharmaceuticals, disease states and drug preparations for all patients seen. Responsibilities Major Duties: Prepares and dispenses medication orders per physician request according to established policies, procedures and protocols. Interprets medication orders (verbal & written) and transcribes to computerized patient medication prescription labels/profiles accurately. Maintains accurate, complete patient medication profiles. Compounds and accurately dispenses pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances and chemotherapy products. Maintain records as required by law. Has the ultimate responsibility in facilitating the delivery of the correct drug in the correct dosage to the correct patient. Assess and optimize pharmacotherapy for Veteran patients of the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Each pharmacists assigned to a specific tour will complete the orders for that tour. Evaluate drug therapy regimens for contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, allergies, and appropriateness of drug and dose within the context of the individual patient's medical conditions. Adjust therapeutic regimen as indicated following through on problems and paying attention to detail. Complete medication reconciliation for discharge planning along with the completion of physicians' discharge medication orders, the dispensing of appropriate medications in a timely manner, and the counseling of patients who are being discharged from this facility, concerning the proper use of their medications. This counseling will include administration, food-drug/drug-drug interactions, proper storage of drugs, as well as the procedure to follow in cases of a missed dose. Additionally, to support basic Inpatient Pharmacy section activities such as warfarin monitoring, pharmacokinetic dosing, medical team rounding, and being a member of the Discharge Pharmacy Team. Provide drug dosing recommendations as outlined in the pharmaceutical care plan model. Reviews control substance orders for appropriateness based on indication, previous usage history, and compliance. Recommends changes as appropriate. Is able to multi-process i.e. able to continue to process orders, & answer questions from technical staff &/or patients (via phone or in person). Reads, extracts, and interprets information in the patient medical record accurately. Detects and reports suspected adverse drug reactions accurately and in a timely manner. Contributes to the quality and effective operation of the department. Supervises and directs pharmacy support personnel in the absence of a supervisor. Verifies the daily activities of pharmacy technicians. Works independently with minimal supervision. Organizes and prioritizes work assignments. Ensures pharmacy services are provided in a timely manner. Answers the telephone, identifying self and department. Direct calls to appropriate personnel. Keeps pharmacy areas and equipment clean, neat, and well organized. Maintains competence required for current position. Maintains current pharmacist licensure. Attends pharmacy staff meetings when possible. If not in attendance, reads the staff meeting minutes. Attends orientation, education and training programs. Reviews literature and other materials pertinent to the practice of pharmacy. Utilizes available educational resources/ opportunities and strives to continually expand therapeutic knowledge base. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 0800-1600, every other week 1130-2000, Occasional weekends, and subject to change based off department needs. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:21L10A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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 identification 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 accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States 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, an 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. In addition to the GS-11 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. -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: 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work involves prolonged periods of standing with some walking of generally short distances. There may be occasional lifting of weights up to 30 lbs. There may be mental fatigue due to repetitive screening and interpretation of medication orders. Light carrying (under 15 lbs.), Reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required; walking (up to 4 hrs.), standing (up to 4 hrs.),both legs required, both eyes required, ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted). 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.