The primary function of this position will be the interpretation of provider's orders, dispensing appropriate medications, preparation of specialized medications, and the counseling of patients on the proper administration and storage of medication. These functions include duties of a pharmaceutical nature in all areas of the pharmacy in this active medical center.

Duties

Duties performed include, but are not limited to the following: Serves as a second level supervisor in directly overseeing the work of technicians or other non-professional employees in assigned area. Has the responsibility of maintaining smooth work-flow of day-to-day activities and assumes responsibility of work performed under his/her supervision. Knows and follows administrative requirements of all pharmacy sections as outlined in policies and procedures covering narcotic control, formulary, investigational drugs, and general procurement procedures, proper dispensing and storage of medications, security guidelines. infection control, etc. Provides collateral documentation for appropriate tasks as required by Pharmacy policy and procedure. Provides direct oversight of daily duties of technicians and students and is responsible for smooth work-flow of activities in assigned area. Assures quality control of technicians' work through inspection of work upon completion. Works with Pharmacy Technicians by overseeing the filling of Unit Dose Carts, preparation of IV admixtures, and filling of prescriptions. Provides supervision with input on performance of non-professionals. Communicates effectively with peers and subordinates even under the most stressful circumstances. Makes recommendations to the Chief, Pharmacy Service on needed changes in policy and procedure as appropriate. Reviews and interprets prescriptions and/or provider's orders for accuracy, eligibility, allergy assessment, availability, and therapeutic appropriateness. Reviews patient medication profiles, contacts providers and makes authorized changes in orders or prescriptions as required. Fills prescriptions/orders in a timely, accurate manner. Assures on-going Controlled substance and investigational drug accountability through accurate dispensing and maintenance of administrative records. Is familiar with agents being investigated and serves as consultant to providers and nurses when questions arise about investigational drugs. Exercises final technical authority over all professional pharmacy matters with which he/she individually deals, except those which affect pharmacy policies and programs and are outside Pharmacy's domain. Compounds and dispenses all extemporaneous preparations, even those which require a high degree of technical and pharmaceutical knowledge. Develops special formulas as required. Processes all CLC pass medications accurately and in a timely manner when assigned to that area. Processes Pharmacy orders into the VISTA Pharmacy Programs in a timely manner when assigned. Performs other data processing work as required (for example, printing IV active order lists, ward lists, scheduled IV labels, medication profiles, etc.). Coordinates such activities as prepackaging, labeling, stocking, and distribution of medications to assure uninterrupted supply of medications. Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, pharmacy residents and students. Uses appropriate references to research drug information. Reviews patient medications on the medical and surgical units and the cure CLC when assigned. Attends multidisciplinary rounds and other meetings for medication review in these areas and serves as consultant for pharmacy-related questions as assigned. Monitors intravenous solution orders for interactions, appropriateness, and incompatibility. Communicates with provider concerning appropriate medication therapy and resolves technical problems independently. Uses aseptic technique and proper safety precautions in mixing all lV solutions for all specialties. Participates in or directs training of technician and students in aseptic technique, computerized IV program, and other IV functions. Serves as a consultant on parenteral nutrition as related to TPN formulations and preparations. Performs other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts. 7 on, 7 off, including days/evenings/weekends. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 586-00290-F, 586-00291-F 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: (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. Grandfathering Provision: 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). All licensed pharmacists 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Pharmacist Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 2c(1) above.) Assignment. Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of thefollowing: 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 Preferred Experience: Inpatient and Outpatient Pharmacist Experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15; June 07, 2012. 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

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 GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216 US
• Name: Lindsay Storm
• Phone: (319) 509-6873
• Email: [email protected]