Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatient)

Summary 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. The clinical pharmacist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics - pharmacokinetics - pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. 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 PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyPharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)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.) degreeVerification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education - 20 North Clark Street - Suite 2500 - Chicago - Illinois 60602-5109phone: (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 programToday the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy)(2) 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 ColumbiaThe pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full - current - and unrestricted licensureA 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 16NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct - professional incompetence - or substandard care - or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct - professional incompetence - or substandard care - are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. 7402(f))Effective November 30 - 1999 - this is a requirement for employmentThis requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date - provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license - registration - or certificationMay 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: Experience or EducationIn addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet one of the following: 11 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) - or 2Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program AssignmentA pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) - and national policies and regulationsThese include - but are not limited to: reviewing - interpreting - and verifying medication orders for appropriatenessprocessing and filling medication ordersinteracting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective carereviewing the patient's medications - allergies - labs - and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problemscontacting providers as appropriatedocumenting recommendations and interventionsproviding refill extensions and partial medication suppliestaking health and medication historiesperforming medication reconciliationproviding drug informationassisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions - nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluationsdocumenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs)assisting in medical emergenciesproviding oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distributionPharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs): 1Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice2Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff3Knowledge of laws - regulations - and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security4Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies - including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parametersPreferred Experience: Two years of inpatient pharmacy experienceFamiliarity with Pyxis - Parata packager - BD IV Prep - and BD Logistics softwareReference: VA Handbook 5005/55 - Part II - Appendix G15 - Licensed Pharmacist Qualification StandardFor more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion - involving stating or sitting for prolonged periods of time - typing - walkingAdditionally - occasional lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies may be required - and bending - stooping or stretching. Duties FUNCTIONS: AClinical 1.The pharmacist provides appropriate selection of drug therapy based upon the pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamicsmonitoring for efficacy - side effects and clinical outcomeand advises prescribers as appropriate.2Provides patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicates relevant findings and/or recommendations to other health care providers in charge of the patient both orally and in writingMonitoring will include prospective review and intervention in:aTherapeutic appropriateness pf a patient's drug regimenbTherapeutic duplication in the patient's drug regimencAppropriateness of the route and method of administrationdDegree of patient compliance with the prescribed drug regimeneDrug-drug - drug-food - drug-laboratory - or drug disease interactionsfClinical and pharmacokinetic laboratory data to evaluate the efficacy of drug therapy and to anticipate side effects - toxicity - or adverse effectsgPhysical signs and clinical symptoms relevant to the patient's drug therapy3Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy.4Provides medication counseling to patients.5Completes health and medication histories including patient interviews.6Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers - other health care professionals - patients and caregiversBDispensing and Compounding 1Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness - drug selection - dosage - route of administration and the amount - prior to dispensing.2Ensures all medication orders are entered into the electronic patient medical record.3Processes - checks and fills all orders in a timely fashionreview of the patient's allergy history - drug-drug - drug-nutrient - drug-laboratory and drug-disease state interactions and assessment for clinical relevance should be performed and dealt with appropriately.4Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance or potential abuseproblems encountered shall be resolved.5Maintains adequate drug stock - inspects drug storage areas - supervises prepacking and the operation of automated dispensing equipment.6Supervises the activities and provides oversight of support personnel and technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution.7Ensures drugs dispensed are completely and correctly labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations.8Compounds medications in accordance with USP 795 - USP 797 and USP 800 standards and local policies and procedures.9Ensures USP 795 - USP 797 and USP 800 regulations for controlled environment are followedCAdministrative 1Represents pharmacy and contributes clinical and administrative expertise as a member of committees within the assigned area.2Assures security over pharmacy areas and provides an immediate report to management in event of inconsistencies.3Supervises the work flow and gives direction to pharmacy technicians as neededVA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: 7:00PM - 7:00AM (7 on / 7 Off) 3rd schedule Shift: weekends and holidays - other shifts as assigned by the Service Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 62677F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.