The Clinical Pharmacist is responsible for managing multiple complex programs such as medication protocols, therapeutic drug monitoring, adverse drug reactions, medication reconciliation, medication histories and medication counseling for outpatients and inpatients in acute, subacute, and extended care units.

Duties

The Clinical Pharmacist, as a representative of the Pharmacy Service, for critical and acute care sections of inpatient beds and for ambulatory care areas. This position covers direct and indirect patient care, appropriate, safe, and economical medication use and provides pharmaceutical care services, including monitoring, quality assurance/ improvement, staff/patient education and consultation. Duties include but are not limited to: Participates in multidisciplinary team rounds when assigned to an inpatient unit. Provides consultative services that foster appropriate, evidence-based medication use. Manages medication protocols in accordance with approved scope of practice and prescriptive authority. Evaluates drug therapy through direct patient care involvement for inpatients and outpatients, with clinical assessment and objective findings related to patient's responses to drug therapy and communicating and documenting those findings and recommendations to the appropriate providers and in appropriate records (e.g. patient's medical record). Documentation is done in a timely manner and consistent with the facilities established standards of practice. Monitors and assesses the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Functions as a therapeutic consultant to providers and health care teams to develop, implement and maintain effective mechanisms to promote the safe, economical and rational use of medications. Provides drug information to physicians, nurses and other health care professionals. Identifies, interprets and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutic and formulary management. Documents interventions as necessary. Maintains professional competency on drug therapies and innovations in pharmacy practice pertinent to the care provided in this health care system. Provides professional guidance and leadership to their assigned work team(s) to deliver patient care services in accordance with established standards of practice (i.e. DEA, JC, Health Care System, departmental policy & procedures, etc.) and in support of established VHA and VISN 15 performance measures. Designs and/or participates in drug related research studies under FDA guidelines that have undergone review and approval by the Research & Development Committee and the Investigational Research Board. Attends Code Blue emergencies when assigned to an inpatient area. Performs all duties that are considered routine of a staff pharmacist at VAEKHCS without a standard operating procedure (i.e. processing and filling medication orders). Interprets and evaluates inpatient and outpatient medications orders for appropriateness of drug therapy. Orders are checked for patient allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities and duplication. Identifies, interprets and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutic and formulary management. Documents interventions as necessary. Responsible for the safe and appropriate dispensing of medications within the unit dose, automatic replenishment/ward stock, IV admixture and outpatient prescription medication management systems. Serves as a preceptor for pharmacy clerkship students and pharmacy residents. Provides medication counseling to patients and/or caregivers. Evaluates the abilities of adult and geriatric patients to understand medication instructions (i.e. ability to learn, sensory limitations, past knowledge of condition and obstacles to following treatment regimen) and provides oral and written counseling on their drug therapy. Provides discharge medication counseling to patients when assigned to an inpatient area, and documents this in the medical record. Assists in the development, coordination and provision of drug therapy in-service programs, staff development programs, patient education programs and other system- wide drug information programs. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm , Rotating weekends/holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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. 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. 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, 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. 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 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. Grade Determinations: Experience or Education for GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level). 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): 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. Assignment: Pharmacists at this grade level, 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. Grandfather Provision: All licensed pharmacist employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Preferred Experience: Hospital and/or outpatient pharmacist experience. Physical Requirements: heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (6 hours per day); kneeling (2 hours per day); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing aid permitted. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15. Dated June 7, 2012.

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 VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System 2200 SW Gage Blvd Topeka, KS 66622 US
• Name: Lisa Newman
• Phone: 5094347000 X6957
• Email: [email protected]