CLINICAL PHARMACIST (Intermittent)

The primary function of a clinical pharmacist is to assure the safe and appropriate use of medications and be an advocate of rational drug therapy through the following: evaluation of the appropriateness of drug therapy based on patient specific factors; individualization of drug therapy; evaluation, dispensing and providing medications, and drug information.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Exhibits initiative and resourcefulness in managing pharmacy service line and assigned workload.

1. 1. Assigned to coordinate workload activities and expected to direct colleagues, technicians, and subordinates to complete routine tasks of the shift and assigned area. Timely and constructive feedback to the immediate supervisor is expected when assigned workload cannot be completed.
   2. Exhibits initiative and resourcefulness in managing time and workload. Consistently works in an organized efficient manner to meet deadlines and changing priorities.
   3. Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutics and the formulary. Documents interventions as necessary
   4. Carefully executes each step in the dispensing process according to law, regulatory standards, VHA policies and standard of care to ensure safe and appropriate medication therapy.

Provides high quality, patient centric care using evidence-based medicine to ensure safe, effective and efficient medication therapy.

1. 1. Efficiently and effectively identifies and prioritizes the patient's pharmaceutical problems and recommends evidence-based pharmacotherapeutic regimens and corresponding monitoring plans.
   2. Reviews and interprets appropriate laboratory tests and other studies necessary to monitor, support and modify the patient's medication therapy.
   3. Performs and interprets the physical measurements necessary to necessary to monitor, support and modify the patient's medication therapy.
   4. Maintains working knowledge of applicable medication criteria for use. Applies knowledge to direct appropriate medication therapy and adjudicate non-formulary medication requests according to scope of practice.
   5. Effectively monitors and assesses patient's outcomes to drug therapy. Consistently detects, documents, reports, monitors, and manages adverse drug reactions. Intervenes as necessary to increase effectiveness and minimize risks of drug therapy and improve health outcomes.
   6. Formulates an efficient and thorough approach to retrieving and analyzing drug information and provides professional and timely written/oral response to the patient or appropriate member of the health care team.

Exhibits the interpersonal skills and professionalism necessary to achieve the VHA's vision.

1. 1. Routinely identifies the customer's/patient's situation properly and consistently resolves the problem accurately and in a timely manner to promote a consistent customer service experience across the continuum of care.
   2. Professionally expresses thoughts and ideas to co-workers and supervisor. Effectively participates in the decision making process and willingly complies with team decisions.
   3. Interacts with fellow workers and supervisors in a way that promotes a professional and cooperative working environment.
   4. Exhibits the ability to confidently and respectfully communicate in a manner that will build relationships and influence decision making.

Incorporates the VHA mission, vision and goals into own priorities and practice.

1. 1. Understands and performs consistent with the mission, vision and values of the department and the organization.
   2. Efficiently uses VHA resources and identifies innovative ways provide fiscally responsible patient care.
   3. Attains the indicated goals for all assigned quality and clinical metrics.
   4. Completes all mandatory education and annual competencies by assigned deadline.
   5. Complies with all Pharmacy Service and Medical Center policies and procedures as they relate to pharmacy security, professional conduct, Infection Control, EOC, etc.

Maintains current, comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based practices, and actively pursues opportunities for continuous professional development.

1. 1. Responsible for keeping abreast of changes in the pharmacy department and maintains an appropriate knowledge of VHA, DEA, FDA, OIG, TJC and other pharmacy regulations, policies and procedures.
   2. Maintains current, comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based practices.

Customer Service - Relationships with supervisors, co-workers and others within the organization must be consistently courteous and cooperative in nature and overall contribute to the effective operation of the office. Performance must demonstrate the ability to adjust to change or work pressure in a pleasant manner; handle differences of opinion in a businesslike fashion; follow instructions conscientiously; and function as a team member, helping the group effort where possible.

Work Schedule: PRN Various Tours, schedule to be set by supervisor.
Telework: No
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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 (1) 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.) (2) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the 2 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, 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 has, 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level)

(a) 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.

(b) Assignment. 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 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. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.
2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff.
3. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. 5
4. 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 https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily performed while sitting, though some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of this position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc. Frequent use of automobile and public conveyances may be required. Occasional lifting of boxes is also required.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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 evaluation/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.