CLINICAL PHARMACIST

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.

01Basic 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).

02Education

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.) (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR-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). (DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED) 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.

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).

03Grade Determinations

GS-12 Clinical PharmacistEducation or Experience: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, candidates must meet one of the following: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) VA or Non VA Experience -OR- Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. ANDIn addition, 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.

04Physical Requirements

The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the duties of this position. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, looking at computer screens and other digital devices throughout the day, typing, walking distances within the medical center, frequent twisting/turning, and bending/stooping.

The incumbent must be able to perform lifting/carrying, pushing, or pulling different types of equipment such as cabinets, carts or supplies weighing at maximum 50 pounds through various terrains. This position routinely prepares medications that requires special handling and documentation including but not limited to hazardous drug medications. Must be able to wear appropriate respiratory and other personal protective equipment (i.e., N-95's, PAPRs) as required by policy.

Clinical: Performs clinical reviews and adjudicates prior authorization drug requests promoting safe, cost-effective, and optimal medication use. Maintains advanced skill in assessing and monitoring the outcome of drug therapies including interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Demonstrates expert knowledge in multiple areas of clinical pharmacy practice such as oncology, hematology, rheumatology, neurology, dermatology, infectious disease, transplant, emergency medicine, among other clinical areas. Responsible for maintaining professional competencies of information on new drugs, clinical innovations in pharmacy practice, completes continuing education, and integrates this information into his/her daily clinical practice.

Coordinates care for patients with other healthcare providers as needed. Documents all encounters in the patient's clinical record. Medication Dispensing and Distribution: Reviews service connection for appropriate costs and payment and applies VA local standards. Supervises technical staff to maintain efficient and effective operations per departmental needs. Checks and approves items prepared by pharmacy technicians per departmental needs.

Displays competency in the use of all pharmacy resources, including computer software and hardware and other technology. Adheres to dispensing guidelines for hazardous medications and disposal guidelines for all medications per departmental needs. Responsible for processing all electronic orders for assigned team as requested or needed including verifying patient information, correct medication dose, route, and frequency of administration.

All orders are checked for patient allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and priority. Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutics and the formulary. Documents interventions within the specified timeframe if applicable.

As needed will need to be capable to assist in coordination of the activities of the assigned pharmacy technicians and pharmacy volunteers engaged in the preparation, labeling, dispensing, manufacturing, and delivery of medications and other pharmaceutical supplies in accordance with physician orders.

05Education

Serves as a preceptor for students, PGY-1, and PGY-2 residents at Hines VA Hospital and maintains preceptor qualifications that aligns with American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) and set forth by the residency program director. Serves as an advocate for the pharmacy profession and educates team members on pharmacy processes. Participates in the development and implementation of different education as needed.

Assists with timely training or in-servicing of any health care provider including but not limited to physicians, residents, technicians, pharmacists, students, or nurses. Interfaces with other health-care providers and administrators to ensure compliance with established pharmacy and medical center policies and procedures. Assists in the development or improvement of proposals for new or existing clinical pharmacy services.

Publish and/or present results of pharmacy projects/research studies, papers, etc. whenever possible. Provides highly specialized education and training support to other professional services in the area of advanced pharmacotherapy. Provides drug information and drug literature evaluations as requested by the professional sta Administration/Technical Support: Work with other health care providers to develop programs for improvement of drug use.

Develops and conducts medication usage evaluation in areas of needs from a cost and patient outcome perspective. Documents cost reduction/cost avoidance activities on a periodic basis. Manages the hospital formulary and ensures its appropriate utilization by health care providers.

Participates in the appropriate, effective, and safe use of pharmaceuticals by contributing to criteria development, data collection, quality assurance, medication use evaluation, and other quality improvement activities for core practice area(s) as identified. Accurately completes all assignments in a timely manner as defined by supervisor or other designee. Effectively manages and supervises technical support in the areas of clinical responsibilities, such as Automated Dispensing Machine (e.g.

Pyxis) and Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) support. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm rotating weekends, and holidays as needed Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized