The Clinical Pharmacist is a multifunctional position with primary emphasis on handling routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and national policies and regulations.

Duties

DRUG DISPENSING Receives and accurately interprets written orders of physicians and dentists utilizing professional knowledge of drugs. Decisions regarding appropriateness will be based upon local and VA policies, professional standards and the latest available drug information. Documents that a corrective action, if required, was recommended. When assigned to outpatient area, oversees and participates in the prompt and timely processing of all prescriptions received. Provides education to patients upon request and when new medication, new dosage and/or new medication instructions are ordered by a physician. Correctly interprets and dispenses or supervises dispensing of all inpatient medications, including ward stock, automatic stock replenishment, unit dose and intravenous admixtures. Provides inpatient medication in a timely fashion in accordance with the needs of the patient. Incumbent will have a thorough knowledge of drug stability, reconstitution requirements, able to recognize incompatibilities, able to recognize overdoses and contraindications in orders. Will keep updated and will apply the latest sterile compounding techniques, the latest I.V. administration techniques, I.V. equipment and I.V. drug information reference sources. Will understand and apply the critical nature of infection control procedures and the importance of maintaining a clean, aseptic work area. Maintains a thorough understanding of policies, procedures, protocols and responsibilities and will be able to perform or supervise performance of all responsibilities assigned to pharmacy in the unit dose program. CLINICAL FUNCTIONS Utilizes a knowledge of the methods and procedures of clinical review of physicians' and dentists' orders. Communicates with patients regarding their medications. Provides accurate, unbiased and cost-effective drug information to professional health care providers utilizing a knowledge of adult and geriatric pharmacotherapy in psychiatry and medicine. Resolves drug related problems and questions in a timely and professional manner. Communicates questionable situations to the physician or nurse when necessary. Provides admission and discharge patient medication interviews or counseling for drug history, compliance enhancement, and pharmacotherapeutic plan development. COLLATERAL DUTIES Directs and inspects the work of subordinates involved in the technical and clerical functions of the pharmacy; maintains timeliness of workload. Orients and trains pharmacy staff, students and residents to ensure acceptable quality of work within areas assigned. Develops personal training plans and documents the course of training. Documents personal plans and accomplishments. Serves on medical center committee(s) when assigned and/or if opportunity exists. Maintains and reports required data on inventory, workload, dispensing records and drug use evaluation. Operates the computer programs and equipment required in each area of assignment. Participates in ongoing continuing education programs at the Medical Center in order to develop and maintain knowledge of adult and geriatric pharmacotherapy, pharmacoeconomics, pharmaceutics, and hospital pharmacy. Incumbent must have a thorough understanding of the hospital formulary system. Must be able to respond to a non-formulary request by suggesting a formulary drug as an alternative and must know how to handle special request items. Incumbent is responsible for the promotion of basic clinical programs, departmental goals and objectives of an effective and efficient drug distribution. This promotion is dependent upon proper relationships with medical and paramedical personnel as well as non-professional personnel. The incumbent will be provided with opportunities and may request to participate in clinical projects which include but are not limited to: Development of new patient services Drug Use Evaluation Inservice Education Programs Systematic Internal Review Serving as a pharmacy student preceptor Participating in community affairs where professional expertise can be utilized. Work Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday one week. Monday, Tuesday second week. Part-time, 20 hours/week. 40 hours/pay period Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00015F 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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: GS-11 Pharmacist Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement above.) 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 at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which are listed in the basic requirement section, 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 PART II APPENDIX G15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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 St Cloud VA Medical Center 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN 56303 US
• Name: Breeze Hennes
• Phone: (320) 252-1670 X5222
• Email: [email protected]