The Clinical Pharmacist (CP) will be assigned to centralized staffing duties within the Inpatient Pharmacy. The Clinical Pharmacist is responsible for provision of pharmaceutical care in the Inpatient Pharmacy setting - order review and verification, dispensing and distribution, inventory management, sterile and nonsterile compounding, hazardous and chemotherapy preparation, oversight of technicians, providing pharmacotherapeutics services.

Duties

MEDICATION DISPENSING AND DISTRIBUTION: Performs inpatient electronic order assessment to verify patient information, correct medication dose, route, frequency, and duration of administration. Orders are also reviewed for allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and appropriateness of drug choice. Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues; provides pharmacotherapeutic analyses and medication reconciliation upon admission. Dispenses controlled substances for inpatients and outpatients with accuracy, per current policies and procedures of the institution. Conducts and evaluates medication histories; assesses compliance; and suggests pharmacotherapeutic modifications to achieve desired outcomes and provide appropriate pharmaceutical care. CLINICAL FUNCTIONS: Evaluates patients upon inpatient admission for medication reconciliation and appropriateness of pharmacologic therapy. Identifies any drug-related problems such as allergies, toxicities, adverse reactions, improper dose regimen, noncompliance, etc. Reviews patients on anticoagulation admitted on an inpatient medical floor. Discusses concerns with the prescribing physician regarding changes in therapy and lab value interpretation. Documents clinical recommendations in an anticoagulation note as necessary. Reviews chemotherapy orders/prior authorization drug requests for dosage, frequency, cycle, and appropriateness of therapy based on cancer type, laboratory values, and other monitoring parameters as indicated (in the absence of the primary oncology pharmacist). PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATIVE: Serves as an authoritative information source on pharmaceuticals and their utilization in therapy for hospital-wide councils and committees responsible for establishing and reviewing drug use policies. Designs, conducts, and participates in studies, audits, and evaluations concerning the utilization of drugs. Participates in the prior authorization drug request review process of the Medical Center and appropriately documents the evaluation of the prior authorization drug request. Assists in the implementation of therapeutic recommendations for selected disease states with VHA, JBVA, and/or other published clinical practice guidelines. EDUCATION: Serves as preceptor for Doctor of Pharmacy Students from the University of Illinois, College of Pharmacy and other educational institutions, when needed. Provides guidance and instruction pertaining to the practice of pharmacy and serves as a mentor. Serves as preceptor for Pharmacy Practice Residents (PGY-1, PGY-2), when needed. Provides guidance concerning the practice of pharmacy, educates on clinical issues, and serves as a mentor. Educates patients, family members, and caregivers regarding proper use and storage of medications. Collaborates with other healthcare providers and administrators to ensure compliance with currently established pharmacy and medical center policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 6:00am - 2:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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.) OR, 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. 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). GS-11 Grade Determinations: Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. 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 the following: 1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR, 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. GS-12 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; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. AND, 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: Experience in an Inpatient Pharmacy Hospital Setting Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: There may be some walking, standing, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items.

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 Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Yasmin Scott
• Phone: 910-488-2120 X1499
• Email: [email protected]