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) & 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 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.

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 - 20 North Clark Street - Suite 2500 - Chicago - Illinois 60602-5109
• phone: (312) 664-3575 - or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/
• (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)
• Licensure: Full current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State - Territory - or 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 as - 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
• Exception
• Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B)
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level)
• GS11:Pharmacist (a) Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS12: Clinical Pharmacist (a) Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet one of the following: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - OR Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
• Demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• Preferred Experience: Preferred qualification: A minimum of two years of inpatient hospital pharmacy experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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: May be required to do excessive walking - standing - lifting - typing - writing - carrying - climbing stairs - kneeling - reaching above shoulders - pushing - hearing - and reading
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Clinical Pharmacist is to perform the full range of accepted ethical and professional practices of pharmacy - observing all legal requirements
• Clinical pharmacist duties are also performed in complex tertiary care teaching medical center
• Provides consultation to physicians and other healthcare professionals on basic information about drug therapy
• Intervenes appropriately to increase effectiveness and minimize potential risks of inappropriate drug therapy
• Evaluates patient or caregiver's ability to understand medication instructions and provides verbal and written counseling on his/her drug therapy and adjusts communication methods based on age and developmental considerations
• Performs chart reviews patient encounters - physician and nurse encounters for the following: drug usage evaluation - clinical effectiveness - drug selection - dosing - contraindications - side effects - potential drug interactions - and therapeutic outcomes as required or other assigned clinical projects
• Interpret laboratory values and applies knowledge in the evaluation of drug therapy and patient care
• Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed
• Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed
• Resolves problem and potential problem situations involving medication therapy verbally and/or in writing within the needed time frames
• Monitors for and reports drug errors - adverse drug reactions - allergies - and patient compliance issues according to established facility procedures
• Consistently considering and accurately applying all available clinical data - drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to each medication order
• Intervenes appropriately to increase effectiveness and minimize potential risks of drug therapy
• Provides expert drug information to all customers and MEDVAMC staff that is accurate - unbiased and cost-effective while using current Drug Information resources - Medical Center Formulary - Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Guidelines and acceptable standards of practice
• Documents drug information inquiries and responses - when appropriate - in a timely manner by signature in electronic health record (eHR)
• Performs greater than 50% of his/her time in a distributive capacity - to include evaluating physicians' orders as to appropriateness based on patient medication profiles - inputting information into VistA or verifying orders entered by healthcare providers - and dispensing medication in accordance with dosage form requirements to facilitate timeliness of discharge prescriptions - outpatient prescriptions and inpatient medication orders
• Monitors patient's medication profiles to ensure that information is complete - correct and up to date
• Dispense prescriptions for outpatient medication and medical supplies daily from inpatient pharmacy window - when necessary - in accordance with Medical Center and VA policies to eligible veteran patients
• Performs greater than 50% of his/her time in a distributive capacity - to include evaluating physicians' orders as to appropriateness based on patient medication profiles - inputting information into VistA or verifying orders entered by healthcare providers - and dispensing medication in accordance with dosage form requirements to facilitate timeliness of discharge prescriptions - outpatient prescriptions and inpatient medication orders
• Monitors patient's medication profiles to ensure that information is complete - correct and up to date
• Participate in the training and orientation of pharmacy students - pharmacy staff and allied healthcare professionals
• Maintains and improves professional competency by keeping up with information on new medications - new medication therapies - and innovations in pharmacy practices
• The Pharmacist continually applies current drug information and program techniques in their daily practices Clinical pharmacists may be assigned topics for review and presentation at pharmacy staff meetings (new drugs or appropriate prescribing and use of old drugs or classes of drugs - etc.)
• Work Schedule: 3:30pm-12:00am - with rotating weekends and holidays) - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 02128F and 02258F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized