The Clinical Pharmacist provides distributive and clinical Pharmacy support service to medicine, surgery and specialty services within the VAWNYHS.The scope of practice of the CP covers direct and indirect patient care, drug therapy monitoring, quality assurance/improvement, staff/patient education and consultation.

Duties

Distributive: Fills medication orders by selecting the correct drug and dosage form, reducing the drug from bulk to the quantity prescribed, compounding when necessary, then packaging and labeling the drug in an appropriate manner. Responsible for the dispensing of drugs, especially controlled substances, investigational and cytotoxic drugs, to assure that legal and agency regulations and instructions are followed, that proper and complete recordkeeping is maintained, and that the drug storage areas are stocked, safe, and secure. Reviews the patient medication profile prior to dispensing drugs and medications to ensure safe and appropriate medication use. Clinical Duties: Identifies drug-induced problems that may be affecting the patient, takes appropriate steps to manage these problems and/or communicates these findings to his/her primary provider (includes drug side effects, allergic reactions, toxicities, dosage regimens, and non-compliance concerns). Reviews and recommends therapeutic care plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic, and most economical medication treatments, recognizing the special drug considerations of the age and stage of life for the patient, and communicates this plan to the patient's primary provider. Counsels patients and family members concerning directions for use, side effects, precautions, and the need to strictly follow the regimen. Education: Assists in the orientation and training of new pharmacy employees, pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, medical residents, medical students, attending providers and pharmacy volunteers. Functions as a consultant to the medical staff on pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology via effective written and oral communication. Facilitates clinical portions of preceptorship programs for pharmacy interns and externs. Performs in-service training to pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and other disciplines as scheduled. Quality Assurance and Improvement: Participates in the DUE/MUE process by assisting in; determination of problem areas, criteria development, analysis and follow-up as deemed appropriate; e.g., education, review, etc. Documents all patient-centered workload according to current VISN2 Pharmacy guidelines. Research: Dispenses investigational and research drugs to patients as required in accordance with VA policy. Participates in pharmacy research to optimize operational efficiency; e.g., in the testing of new VISTA/CPRS or other software, use of pharmacy technicians in functions formerly provided by pharmacists, etc. Administrative: Checks, guides, and advises lower-grade co-workers and trainees on the receipt, interpretation, compounding, and filling of medication orders. Effectively manages and supervises Pharmacy Technicians in their areas of responsibility. Verifies and/or corrects medication orders entered in the computer by Providers with the exception of those entered by themselves when acting in the capacity of a Provider. Coordinates and resolves problems associated with medication distribution. Analyzes data and completes reports, including ward inspections and chart reviews, according to established policy. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm, with rotating tours including weekends, nights, and holidays. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21L10-A 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. 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. 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. 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-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. 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 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Hospital Experience preferred References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Employees are expected to work 40 hours per week. This includes nights, weekends and/or holidays as assigned. Mandating to cover other shifts may occur resulting in exceeding a 40-hour week but compensated via overtime or compensatory time at the employee's discretion. Work demands include standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, bending, twisting, repetitive use of hands and fingers, carrying light loads (up to 50 pounds) and pushing/pulling large/heavy carts. Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively, must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color as well as small font (tablet imprints, expiration dates, lot numbers etc.) Work demands the ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously if necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

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 VA Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Victoria Anthony
• Email: [email protected]