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 conduct controlled substance inventories. - Prepare ePIRs and adverse drug reaction reports. - Oversee and direct pharmacy technician workflow. - Monitor non-formulary medication use and recommend alternatives. - Assist with data collection for Quality Assurance monitors. Clinical - Use and maintain proficiency with VISTA, CPRS, CHCS, and related systems. - Promote patient-focused, team-based pharmaceutical care. - Review and interpret medication orders for appropriateness. - Assess medication profiles for sensitivities, interactions, and compliance with BCMA standards. - Resolve therapy discrepancies and annotate records with verified alternatives. - Provide in-service education to nursing and pharmacy staff. - Document clinical interventions impacting patient care. - Counsel patients on off-tour outpatient prescriptions. - Evaluate non-formulary consults and recommend alternatives. - Monitor non-formulary medication use. Dispensing/Drug Distribution - Ensure accurate and timely medication dispensing. - Comply with VHA/DEA regulations and maintain strict drug accountability. - Follow all relevant policies for distributive pharmacy functions. - Ensure proper labeling and packaging per federal requirements. - Prepare IV solutions and admixtures using aseptic technique. - Participate in Code Blue responses and document medication administration. - Dispense investigational drugs per protocol. - Dispense controlled substances to units in compliance with directives. - Dispense outpatient prescriptions when Outpatient Pharmacy is closed. - Investigate and resolve BCMA scanning issues. - Perform accurate cart checks. 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 #: PD53885F 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-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 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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