The clinical pharmacist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice. Responsible for analyzing real and potential drug related medical problems and implementing corrective action to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy. Also applies standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs. The position is assigned to Pharmacy Service at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center.

Duties

Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-12 level, duties will include, but are not limited to: Finishing and Dispensing Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness prior to dispensing. Enters and process Choice and Fee basis prescriptions timely, accurately, and completely. Finishes prescriptions while screening all patient profiles for therapeutic duplication, formulary compliance, allergies, drug-drug, and drug disease and drug-food interactions in addition to other tasks assigned daily. Oversees and checks the completed work of technical and non-professional personnel and provides guidance. Ensures drugs dispensed are completely and correctly labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Provides medication counseling to patients, or patient's representatives. Implements the unit dose medication management systems. May rotate as needed to the IV section and assumes all duties of that position as required. Maintains a working knowledge of inpatient and applicable outpatient pharmacy automation programs (e.g. Omnicell, TCG, ScriptPro). Clinical Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers, other health care professionals, patients and caregivers. Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance or potential abuse. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA ADERS reporting program and pharmacy reporting functions. Executes resource stewardship through application of formulary alternative guidance, non-formulary consult review and completion, and restricted medication review and guidance for use. Manages recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths and instructions of the same medication to equal the prescribed dose and schedule, as approved by the PT&N Committee and ECMS. Competent in accessing patient information, documenting interventions and overall knowledge of CPRS. Administrative Maintains a working knowledge of pharmacy cost control initiatives and actively participates in identified measures to accomplish pharmacy goals. Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care in coordination with the healthcare provider in charge of the patient. Attends and participates in pharmacy staff meetings, huddles, and other designated meeting. Implements PT&N Committee policies regarding therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions, including appropriate patient and provider education. Participates in development, implementation and management of programs which help optimize drug costs. Maintains an understanding of VHA policies and procedures relating to pharmacy controlled substances and medication inventory accountability. Maintains an understanding of applicable institution (non-pharmacy) Numbered memorandums. Maintains an understanding of all applicable department policies and procedures. Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and nonprofessional staff. Takes an active role in formulary management, including non-formulary (Prior-authorization) entry into CPRS, conversions and initiating contact with providers to ensure compliance with the formulary. Fills controlled substances prescriptions while complying with all DEA, VHA and local facility regulations and policies. Manages various actions, as appropriate, for medication orders. Professional Keeps technically current in pharmacy and medicine by self-instruction and routine attendance at conferences and seminars. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class, non-formulary, restricted and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. As deemed necessary by the Pharmacy Supervisor, assists in other patient care areas (including inpatient) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. However, primary assignments of work schedule and tours would involve outpatient area; these services may include such areas as narcotic vault assignments, IV duties, or other areas that may develop from patient pharmacy needs. Responsible for maintaining professional competency by keeping abreast of current medical and pharmaceutical literature, new drugs and therapies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am-4:30pm with weekends, holidays and late evenings Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. 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. 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. Failure to Obtain License: In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Pharmacist Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 2c(1) above.) Assignment: Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity. 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. 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 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): 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. 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: This position requires light lifting (under 15lbs), walking, and standing. Environmental factors are working closely with others and working alone.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Rebecca Hanson
• Phone: 509-434-7320
• Email: [email protected]