Clinical Pharmacist-Inpatient
What you'd do
The Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist reviews drug therapy, consults with healthcare providers, prepares and dispenses medications, evaluates non-formulary requests based on VA criteria, suggests alternatives, and educates patients on proper medication use and dosage.
Major duties
Major duties include but are not limited to: Administrative - Resolve narcotic discrepancies and perform controlled substance inventories. - Prepare ePIRs, adverse drug reaction reports, and assist with Quality Assurance data collection. - Oversee and direct pharmacy technician workflow. - Monitor non-formulary medication use and recommend alternatives. - Assist in orientation, training, and performance feedback for new staff, students, technicians, and trainees. - Supervise assigned pharmacy areas, including workflow, technicians, and students; manage routine operational issues. - Collect, tabulate, and prepare administrative data and reports for pharmacy programs. Clinical - Use and maintain proficiency with VISTA, CPRS, CHCS, and automated pharmacy systems. - Promote patient-focused, team-based pharmaceutical care and ensure optimal medication therapy. - Review and verify medication orders for accuracy, appropriateness, interactions, allergies, and BCMA compliance. - Assess medication profiles, resolve therapy discrepancies, and annotate medical records with verified recommendations. - Provide drug information and in-service education to physicians, nurses, and pharmacy staff. - Serve as liaison between pharmacy and patient care areas to clarify orders and resolve issues. - Document clinical interventions impacting patient outcomes. - Evaluate non-formulary consults according to VA criteria and suggest alternatives. - Counsel patients when dispensing outpatient prescriptions during off-tours. - Participate in drug use evaluation and quality assurance programs. Dispensing/Distribution - Organize and optimize workflow for accurate, efficient medication distribution. - Apply cost-containment strategies during medication verification. - Screen, profile, enter, and verify physician orders. - Supervise technicians in preparing and dispensing medications, including IV preparations. - Maintain accurate records and ensure adequate drug and supply levels. - Ensure proper labeling, packaging, and compliance with federal and VHA/DEA regulations. - Prepare IV solutions using aseptic technique. - Participate in Code Blue responses (medication preparation, dose guidance, documentation). - Dispense investigational drugs per protocol and maintain required records. - Dispense controlled substances and outpatient prescriptions when needed. - Investigate and resolve BCMA scanning issues. - Perform accurate cart checks. Education - Train new pharmacy staff and participate in in-service programs. - Serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students from affiliated schools. Work Schedule: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, Rotating holidays and weekends. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD53885-F and PD51712-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists 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. 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 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. 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 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: GS-11 Pharmacist Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. Pharmacists assigned to this position 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. Preferred Experience: 2 years Inpatient Pharmacy Experience 1 year Compounded Sterile Products Experience 1 year Outpatient Pharmacy Experience 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8 hours); Standing (8 hours); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (4 hours); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Specific visual requirement (DVA Correctable to 20/40); Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted)
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