The pharmacist in this assignment supports a dual role, with primary functions aligned in support of outpatient clinical pharmacist duties and secondary duties aligned in support of clinical pharmacist practitioner duties as authorized under an approved scope of practice.

Duties

In the GS-12, full performance level of this assignment, he major role of a clinical pharmacist this position handles medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. Duties will include: Outpatient Clinical Pharmacist (90%): Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route of administration and the amount, prior to dispensing. Enters and processes internal and external 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 when needed. 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 in the medical center and CLC as required for after hours and weekends. May rotate as needed to the IV section and assumes all duties of that position as required, including the compounding of chemotherapy and hyperalimentation. Maintains a working knowledge of inpatient and applicable outpatient pharmacy automation programs (e.g., Omnicell, TCG, ScriptPro) as needed. 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; pursues mediation and resolution when problems are identified. 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. Maintains competency in accessing patient information, documenting interventions and overall knowledge of CPRS. Maintains a working knowledge of pharmacy cost control initiatives and actively participates in identified measures to accomplish pharmacy goals. Implements PT&N Committee policies regarding therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions, including appropriate patient and provider education. Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (10%): Functions independently under an advanced scope of practice, as defined by the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, to provide collaborative, comprehensive medication management for chronic metabolic disease states, ambulatory care sensitive conditions, anticoagulation, and other primary care conditions in the outpatient primary care setting. Prescriptive authority will also be used to support improved patient access to traveling veteran medications and prior authorization drug reviews that require a new order placed by pharmacy staff (e.g., CITC PSAS supply orders). Designs, implements, and monitors therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas utilizing the most effective, safest, and most economical medication treatments. Orders, reviews, and takes subsequent action on appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor, support, and modify the patient's drug therapy. Prescribes medications, devices, and supplies to include initiation, continuation, discontinuation, monitoring and altering therapy. Performs physical measurements and objective assessments necessary to ensure the patients appropriate clinical responses to drug therapy. Identifies and executes specific corrective action(s) for drug-induced problems according to protocol, procedure, guideline or standard of care. Orders referrals (e.g., dietician, social work, specialty provider), as appropriate, to maximize positive drug therapy outcomes. Actively reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug-drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings in the electronic medical record and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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: (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). 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. 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. 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. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement above.) Assignment: Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist: 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. 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: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15, Qualifications for Pharmacists. 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: light and moderate lifting (up to 44 lbs), light and moderate carrying (up to 44 lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking and standing, repeated bending, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), working closely with others, 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: Michelle Yahne
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X53055
• Email: [email protected]