Pharmacist

Full Job Description

Staff Pharmacists are responsible for Inpatient and Outpatient pharmacy functions to include, but not limited to: Clearing, filling, checking and distributing outpatient medications, unit dose, IV Admixtures and Controlled Substances utilizing VistA and automated dispensing equipment.

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

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 (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.

NOTE: 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 employment.

This 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 certification.

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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: Clinical Pharmacy, GS-12 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 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.

Preferred Experience: Successful completion of a pharmacy residency or a minimum of three years of recent professional pharmacy practice, demonstrating a strong work ethic, high efficiency, and exceptional accuracy in all assigned duties; proven ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams, communicate clearly with patients and providers, and adapt to high-volume, fast-paced environments.

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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties Include: INPATIENT Processing prescriptions including entry of written prescriptions into the computer system and finishing electronic medication orders, incorporating prescription review to identify and address problems with doses, formulary, drug interactions and allergies.

Continuously monitoring drug side effects, allergic reactions, toxicity, improper dosage regimens, and laboratory test data, contacting prescribers when necessary, to ensure a good therapeutic outcome.

Exercising proper stewardship when handling or overseeing prescribing, dispensing or inventory of Controlled Substances.

Overseeing and directing the work of Pharmacy Technicians assigned to their area, ensuring that all products, to include IV Admixtures and unit dose medications, are prepared, labeled, and delivered IAW locally established guidelines.

OUTPATIENT Greeting patients presenting for window pickup, counseling them on medication dosing, proper administration of the product, possible side effects, what to do in case of an allergic response and the importance of adherence to directions in achieving a good outcome.

Processing Outpatient prescriptions in VistA, filling, dispensing and providing consultation to health care providers on issues related to medication therapy to enhance probability of good therapeutic outcomes.

Exercising proper stewardship when handling or overseeing prescribing, dispensing or inventory of Controlled Substances.

Checking all prescriptions filled by technicians prior to dispensing, utilizing technicians to achieve maximum productivity in the absence of the Supervisor or when working in a one-to-one situation Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm; 8:00am-4:30pm; 8:30am-5:00pm; rotating weekends, holidays, and off-tour coverage Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized