Clinical Pharmacist

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. 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. 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. Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree programs. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy. Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate can provide proof of the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC) Certification, which includes passing the FPGEE and the TOEFL iBT. Licensure: Full current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if required. A pharmacist who has ever had any license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, Paragraph 16. Exception: Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary entry-level appointment as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: KSAs must be clearly reflected in the resume under the description of duties to be qualified for this position/grade level. GS‑11: Pharmacist (a) Experience – Education – and Licensure. GS‑12: Clinical Pharmacist (a) Experience or Education: In addition to basic requirements, candidates must have either one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of an ACPE‑accredited Pharm.D. program. Knowledges: Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to 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 outcomes of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: Minimum of two years of inpatient hospital pharmacy experience. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS‑11 to GS‑12. Physical Requirements: The role may require excessive walking, standing, lifting, typing, writing, carrying, climbing stairs, kneeling, reaching above shoulders, pushing, hearing, and reading. Work Environment: Office/clinic setting with minimal risks requiring normal safety precautions, adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. The employee must handle multiple tasks simultaneously in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Perform the full range of ethical and professional pharmacy practices, observing all legal requirements. Provide clinical consultation to physicians and other health‑care professionals on basic information about drug therapy. Intervene appropriately to increase effectiveness and minimize potential risks of inappropriate drug therapy. Evaluate patient or caregiver’s ability to understand medication instructions and provide verbal and written counseling, adjusting communication methods based on age and developmental considerations. Conduct chart reviews and evaluate drug usage, clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes. Interpret laboratory values and apply knowledge in evaluating drug therapy and patient care. Communicate findings with prescribers and recommend appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Resolve problems and potential complications involving medication therapy verbally and/or in writing within needed time frames. Monitor and report drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues according to established facility procedures. Apply all available clinical data—including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics—to each medication order accurately. Provide expert drug information to all customers and MEDVAMC staff, ensuring accuracy, impartiality, and cost‑effectiveness using current Drug Information resources, the Medical Center Formulary, and accepted standards of practice. Document drug information inquiries and responses in the electronic health record (eHR) promptly. Perform more than 50% of time in a distributive capacity: evaluate physicians’ orders for appropriateness, enter/update information in VistA, and dispense medication in accordance with dosage forms to facilitate timely discharge prescriptions and outpatient/inpatient orders. Maintain up‑to‑date medication profiles for patients to ensure accurate and complete information. Dispense prescriptions for outpatient medication and supplies daily from the inpatient pharmacy window as required, following Medical Center and VA policies. Participate in the training and orientation of pharmacy students, pharmacy staff, and allied health professionals. Maintain and improve professional competency by staying current with new medications, therapy innovations, and advances in pharmacy practice. Present topics at pharmacy staff meetings, covering new drugs, appropriate prescribing, and use of existing drug classes. Work Schedule: 3:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays (subject to change based on facility needs). Telework: Not Available; This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr