Clinical Pharmacist (Care in the Community)

Full Job Description

Primary functions will be interpretation and verification of provider's orders, patient medication profile review, and directing technicians in dispensing appropriate medications.

Provides clinical and administrative services as a representative of Pharmacy Service.

Clinical duties entail providing pharmaceutical care services to assigned patient care areas including monitoring drug therapy & usage, resolving clinical issues, recommending appropriate drug therapy, other pharmacy-related issues.

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.) 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 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

English Language Proficiency.

Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English 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).

Grandfathering Provision.

All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: 3 (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

(3) If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations: GS-11 Pharmacist (a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. 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. 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.

Preferred Experience: We are seeking a highly skilled pharmacist with extensive experience in both outpatient and inpatient pharmacy settings, demonstrating a proven ability to deliver comprehensive pharmaceutical care.

The ideal candidate will have a robust background in patient counseling medication therapy management, and collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

Should possess specialized expertise in handling and managing specialty medications, including biologics, oncology drugs, and treatments for chronic and complex diseases.

Skillful in navigating patient assistance programs and ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes.

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: Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds for short periods of time.

Sitting, standing and walking up to 12 hours per shift includes reaching above shoulders and repeated bending 4 hours per shift. Use of fingers and both hands and near vision is required. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Clinical Pharmacist will primarily collaborate with Community care provider offices to provide seamless coordination of care for patients who are covered under Community Care consults or Admissions, facilitating communication beween the VA Pharmacy and community care healthcare providers.

Dispensing: 1. Assures the accuracy and appropriateness of drug dispensing and compounding of medications, based on patient history and medication profile review.

This includes data entry into the computer, screening orders for drug and drug-food interactions, dosing errors, allergies, incompatibilities, contraindications, formulary availability and final verification of the order Clinical: 1.

Monitors the use of restricted and nonformulary medications, assures medications are ordered and dispensed in accordance with VA guidelines, criteria for use and other applicable regulations. 2.

Conducts drug usage evaluations, and monthly reviews of drug regimens for long term care patients/residents in accordance with medical center/pharmacy policy and regulation standards. 3.

Accurately reviews charts, evaluates pertinent laboratory data, drug-drug and drug-nutrient interactions, monitors for adverse drug effects, and screens for allergies and provides medication counseling.

Direct Patient Care: 1. The Clinical Pharmacist provides rational and cost-effective drug therapy in assigned patient care areas.

This includes monitoring drug usage, resolving clinical issues, recommending appropriate drug therapy, and solving other pharmacy-related issues. a.

Clinical Pharmacist may provide pharmaceutical care in the areas of: Primary Care, Surgery/Procedure Clinic, Specialty Clinic, Mental Health, Urgent Care Clinic, Acute Medicine services. b.

Clinical Pharmacist may be responsible for participating in direct patient care activities (for those patients referred). This function may require Scope of Practice, including prescriptive authority.

Customer Service: 1. Provides veteran and staff education/training regarding safe and effective use of medications. 2.

Meets the needs of internal and external customers while supporting the Medical Ceter and Service missions. 3.

Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. 4.

Provides customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. 5. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

Work Schedule: Primarily Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May include nights, weekends and Holidays as needed based on the needs of the service. Compressed/Flexible: not authorized.

Telework: Adhoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Clinical Pharmacist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized