Clinical Pharmacist

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, 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. 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 Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 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 (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. 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

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Provides appropriate selection of drug therapy based upon the pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitors for efficacy, side effects, and clinical outcome; and advises prescribers as appropriate.

Provides patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicates relevant findings and recommendations to other health care providers both orally and in writing, including prospective review and intervention in the therapeutic appropriateness of and any duplication within the drug regimen, the route and method of administration, patient compliance, drug-drug/drug-food/drug-laboratory/drug-disease interactions, clinical and pharmacokinetic laboratory data used to evaluate efficacy and anticipate toxicity or adverse effects, and physical signs and symptoms relevant to drug therapy.

Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to ensure optimal drug therapy and provides pharmacokinetic consultation in accordance with local policy. Assesses drug safety and efficacy, including evaluation of physical symptoms. Performs medication reconciliation during transitions of care, including updating the medication profile to reflect an accurate, active list of VA and non-VA medications.

Completes medication histories, including patient interviews, and provides medication counseling to patients. Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route of administration, and quantity prior to dispensing, and ensures all orders are entered into the electronic patient medical record. Fills orders in a timely fashion, reviewing allergy history and drug-drug, drug-nutrient, drug-laboratory, and drug-disease interactions, and resolving clinically relevant issues appropriately.

Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance or potential abuse; resolves problems encountered. - Selects, dispenses, and fills a range of medications in accordance with facility policies in both outpatient and inpatient areas, following adequate quality-assurance procedures. Maintains adequate drug stock, inspects drug storage areas, and supervises prepacking and the operation of automated dispensing equipment.

Manages recalls and medication shortages by substituting alternate dosage strengths and directions of the same medication to equal the prescribed dose and schedule and enters supply orders appropriate for patient care per facility policy. Serves as a drug information resource, providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers, other health care professionals, patients, and caregivers.

Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses/good catches, and medication errors in alignment with the VA ADERS reporting program. Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUE) program. Recommends formulary alternatives and completes non-formulary consults as assigned. Provides coverage for inpatient/residential, outpatient, and central pharmacy operations as assigned to ensure uninterrupted medication distribution and clinical services.

Serves as an operational backstop for core pharmacy functions during periods of staffing shortage, planned or unplanned absence, or elevated workload. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:90581-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized