This position is assigned to the Pharmacy Service at the Atlanta VA Health Care System in Decatur, Georgia. The incumbent serves as an outpatient pharmacist. He/she interprets physicians' orders, dispenses medications and serves as a hospital pharmacist responsible for drug availability and accountability, patient drug therapy, the informational needs of physicians and nurses for safer drug prescribing and administration, and for the review of drug use to enhance patient outcomes.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Input new prescriptions, change suspense dates, view medication profiles, view laboratory data, update patient records, cancel prescriptions, edit prescriptions, input partial prescriptions, and provide extra filling when necessary. Screens prescriptions for patient eligibility, dosage, dosage frequency, non-formulary and/or restricted drugs, route of administration, dosage form, completeness of directions and quantity of medication. Checks new prescription labels for completeness and accuracy, including patient's names, address, social security number, prescription number, directions, medication, quantity, days' supply, physician and refills available. Fills prescriptions with the ordered drug and dosage form and annotates on the prescription the manufacturer's lot number of the medication and date filled. Advises other members of the medical/surgical team as well as other health care providers on all matters relating to medication, i.e., drug administration, toxicities, incompatibilities, dosages, alternative medications, contraindications, drug interactions, formulary medications, etc. Reviews the patient's medication profile for any possible drug allergies, incompatibilities, interactions, duplications, or compliance problems. Counsels patients on their prescribed medications giving the name, therapeutic use, dosage, possible side effects of their drugs, and importance of patient compliance on medications. Serves as the pharmacy representative on the interdisciplinary teams when assigned. Advises physicians, nurses, and other health care members on the chemical, pharmacological, biological and therapeutic properties of drugs. Suggests therapeutic equivalent drugs in lieu of non-formulary or restricted medications. Supervises and participates in on the job training for pharmacists, technicians, clerks, students, externs, interns, and residents. Contributes to continuing education by providing presentations or in-service on current pharmaceutical issues to both the professional and technical staff. Oversees operations of the outpatient pharmacy in the absence of a supervisor, handling any professional problems that may arise. Collects and submits data necessary for the preparation quality assurance and other management reports. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am until 4:30 pm or 10:00 am until 6:30 pm or 12:00 pm until 8:30 pm or 1:00 pm until 9:30 pm with rotating weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51715F 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). 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. (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.7402(d), and 7407(d). Preferred Experience: None Grade Determinations:GS-12 (a) 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. (b) Assignments. 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 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. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, Straight pulling (2-3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, both hands required, Walking (__2-3_ hours), Standing (__2-3_ hours), Kneeling (__1_ hours), Repeated bending (_Intermittent_ hours), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Mental/emotional stability.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Antonio Isaac
• Phone: (404)625-8703
• Email: [email protected]