Clinical Pharmacist

Summary

The clinical pharmacist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics - pharmacokinetics. pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. The incumbent is responsible for analyzing real and potential drug-related medical problems and implementing corrective action to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy - as well as applying standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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 InternetBased Test (TOEFL iBT)
• 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
• The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full - current - and unrestricted licensure
• 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)
• The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist
• For grade levels above the GS-11 - the candidate must be licensed
• 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-11 Pharmacist (Entry Level) Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet one of the following: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - or Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience or education candidates must demonstrate all of the following 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: 1 or more years of experience
• Hold an active U.S. State Pharmacist License Strong clinical judgement and effective decision-making skills
• Completion of a ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
• PGY1 Residency
• 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: This position provides services to patients and their families
• Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain - corrective lenses permitted) - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - manual dexterity
• This position may require reaching above shoulder-level height and requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds)
• This position requires long periods of sitting - standing and walking
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Verifies electronic orders entered by the physician for accuracy while performing a prospective drug utilization evaluation taking into account drug-drug interactions - drug allergy contraindications - drug-disease interactions - and dosage form
• Ensures that information such as generic name of drug - manufacturer's name - lot number - control number - shipment number - etc. - are properly entered into unit dose packaging machine and are recorded on log books and on labels - when appropriate
• Reads and interprets prescriptions - obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form
• determines proper amount and counts - pours - or measures the medications
• affixes proper label
• and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
• Evaluates patients and monitors response to drug therapy
• Makes changes in drug therapy as needed and within scope of practice
• Educates patients on their drug therapy with respect to compliance and proper administration - signs of toxicity - adverse effects - and interactions with other medications
• Review drug regimens for therapeutic effectiveness and make appropriate recommendations to improve outcomes - reduce potential for serious adverse effects and promote cost containment
• Serves as drug information resource by providing accurate and timely drug information and resolution of questions posed by physicians - consultants - and other health care providers regarding stability - indications - contraindications - compatibilities - dose - routes and schedules of administration - adverse effects - drug use criteria - and formulary alternatives
• Serves as advisor to the Chief - Pharmacy Service in matters related to clinical practice - drug therapy and drug selection
• Evaluates and documents adverse reactions both locally - and in the VA Adverse Event Reporting System
• Performs first line review of non-formulary requests
• Suggests alternative therapy where appropriate - approves or disapproves requests where appropriate
• Complete electronic consults for clinical pharmacy services accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with VA guidelines
• Document all clinic activities (disposition - medication - follow-up visits - lab results - patient assessment/treatment/outcome - and cost containment) in progress notes in a timely and accurate/quality manner
• Applies rigid aseptic techniques in preparing sterile solutions
• Uses proper sterile technique to ensure the solution is not contaminated and potentially dangerous to patient
• Prioritizes drug orders according to established pharmacy procedures
• Inspects the final product for accuracy - suitability and elegance
• Performs scheduled cleaning and training to ensure compliance with USP 797 requirements
• Oversees and double-checks all technician IV preparations
• Ensures inventory discrepancies are resolved prior to dispensing - and notifies the Chief - Pharmacy Service or designee as soon as discrepancy is discovered
• Fills controlled substances in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy according to established policies and procedures
• Distributes inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances according to established pharmacy procedures and policies
• Follows all VHA - DEA - and Pharmacy policies and procedures regarding controlled substances and notifies Chief - Pharmacy Service or designee of any discrepancies
• Receives supplies - checking for shortages - tampering - breakage - deterioration - or expiration
• Selects proper storage area
• Notifies procurement technician or Chief - Pharmacy Service of any perceived shortages - increase in demand - or other factors affecting pharmacy operations
• Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including ScriptPro outpatient pharmacy automation - unit dose packaging machines - and inpatient pharmacy automation equipment
• Appropriately and accurately enters written prescriptions for C-11 scheduled controlled substances
• Outpatient Prescription Preparation: Reads prescription and then retrieves repackaged - labeled container or bulk stock container and measures proper amounts into smaller container
• Perform a final check of technician work
• Applies pharmacy policy limitations
• i.e. - 90-day prescriptions might be dispensed in 30-day increments of three refills - when policy prohibits dispensing 90-day quantities
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30a.m
• - 8:00p.m. - Saturday & Sunday 7:00a.m
• - 5:00p.m
• (7 days on - 7 days off) Telework: This may be authorized for telework - situational (ad hoc) and has NOT been authorized as virtual or remote
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 56149-0 / 56150-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.