Clinical Pharmacist - Inpatient Evening

Full Job Description

The Acute Care Clinical Pharmacists will be responsible for all Veterans receiving care on an inpatient ward, ICU, O.R., day surgery, dialysis unit, x-ray, GI lab, Cardiac Cath.

lab, CLC, and the emergency department. The clinical pharmacists may be assigned to specific multidisciplinary teams and/or ward locations depending on the specific tour of duty.

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 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).

English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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.

(1) Exception. Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Pharmacist: (a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

(NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 2c(1) above.) (b) Assignment. Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity.

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. 4.

Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 / PART II / APPENDIX G15 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: The physical demands of the work includes: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; light lifting, under 15 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); walking, up to 4 hours; standing, 6 hours prolonged; kneeling; repeated bending; climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; specific visual requirement, ability to read fine print on labels; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); clear speech; and emotional stability.

Major Duties:

A. Customer Service 1) Treats patient, team members, other facility employees and visitors with respect. Responds to the needs of the service in a courteous and timely manner.

2) Demonstrates appropriate and proactive interpersonal skills to achieve the goals of the service. Acts as a team member and is supportive of the group's efforts at all times. B.

Clinical 1) The clinical pharmacist provides appropriate recommendations for the selection of drug therapy based upon the pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitoring for efficacy, side effects, toxicity, adverse effects, and clinical outcomes; and advises prescribers as appropriate.

2) Provides consultation for patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring.

Communicates relevant findings and/or recommendations, both orally and in writing, to other pharmacists and health care providers in charge of the patient.

Monitoring will include prospective review and intervention in: a) Pharmacokinetic consultation for dosing vancomycin and aminoglycosides b) Management of anticoagulation therapy, including lab monitoring and dosage adjustments based on current medical center policy.

c) Therapeutic appropriateness of a patient's overall drug regimen d) Appropriateness of the route and method of administration e) Physical signs and clinical symptoms relevant to the patient's drug therapy 3) Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy.

4) Completes medication histories including patient interviews.

5) Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers, other health care professionals, patients and caregivers.

6) Participates in patient care rounds, reviews charts, evaluates pertinent laboratory data, drug-drug and drug-nutrient interactions, monitors for adverse drug effects, and screens for allergies. C.

Dispensing 1) Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route of administration and the amount, prior to dispensing.

2) Ensures all medication orders are entered into the electronic patient medical record.

3) Fills all orders in a timely fashion; review 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.

4) Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance or potential abuse; problems encountered shall be resolved.

5) Selects, compounds, dispenses and fills a range of drugs including extemporaneous preparations, special formulations, ophthalmics (subconjunctivals and intravitreal injections), narcotics, investigational drugs, oncologic agents, etc., in both outpatient and inpatient areas.

D.

Education 1) The pharmacist is responsible for maintaining his/her professional competency by keeping abreast of current medical and pharmaceutical literature, new drugs and therapies, participating in continuing education programs, and applies this knowledge in his/her daily duties.

2) Provides education to health care providers regarding medication use.

3) Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff members.

4) Assists in new employee orientation sessions as scheduled. E.

Drug Information 1) Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians and students.

Uses appropriate references to research drug information. 2) Has a good working knowledge of information resources, both written and electronic.

3) Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management. 4) Effectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices.

Is able to adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Is able to accurately assess and document patient comprehension. F.

Program Management 1) Monitors and directs workflow of pharmacists and technicians. Provides feedback and suggestions regarding structure of workload.

Composes pharmacist schedule for supervisor review.

2) Assists in the formulation of pharmacy policies and procedures and any hospital policies that involve medication management or pharmacy related programs.

Updates and organizes reference material for the workgroup. Works closely with Inpatient Supervisor on implementation procedures and coordinating information flow to all inpatient staff.

3) Is trained and competent as a resource support for all inpatient automation. Works closely with automation technician on any automation issues.

4) Serves as a consultant or as a member on various committees as appropriate.

Work Schedule: Compressed evenings 1030-2300 Thursday-Wednesday 7on 7off Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # 55648-A, 55649-A