The primary function will be the interpretation of physician's orders, dispensing appropriate medications, and counseling patients on the proper use of their medications. Pharmacist will have knowledge of drugs and drug products, appropriate dosages, routes of administration, physical and chemical properties, and incompatibilities. Pharmacist can communicate effectively both orally and in writing with people from a variety of back grounds.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Clinical - Pharmacist functions Medication orders are reviewed in context of the patient's past medication and drug use history. This history shall include but not limited to current Rx medications, pertinent past medications, OTC medication use, herbals, allergies and adverse drug reactions, vaccinations, substance misuse, patient knowledge base, compliance, and therapeutic concerns. Resolves all prescription problems or questions with providers prior to dispensing. Prescriptions will be reviewed for therapeutic appropriateness in regard to dose, schedule, route, dosage from, indication, duplicate therapy, treatment guidelines, and untreated indications. Therapeutic drug interventions are identified, quickly resolved, and well documented. Patients are efficiently and professionally counseled about their medications, including the use of OTC products and herbals. May provide written and/or oral consultation with prescribers and other health-care professionals regarding pharmacotherapeutics. Documentation is added to CPRS. Reconciles medication orders to home medications when available via Vista. At time of discharge, reconciles inpatient medication, past outpatient regiments and new regiments in terms of therapy changes and proper prescription utilizing and determine future follow ups with high-risk medications. Flagging prescriptions and managing view alerts. Will generate unsigned discontinued orders using "Service Reject" when prescription is duplicate or harmful to patient. Documents any adverse reaction related to or possibly related to any medication use. Consults with patient's physician to minimize harm to the patient and ensure maximum assessment and treatment of potential problems. Communicates effectively with patients and with other health care professionals on drug related matters. Develops and maintains a working knowledge of our Pharmacy VISTA/CPRS software package. Verifies and/or accurately enters information into computer system. Workload is prioritized to assure that prescription and medication orders reach patient in a timely manner. Assures that the preparing and dispensing of medications adheres to current law, regulations, policies and procedures and professional standards of practice. Dispenses completed prescriptions with instructions/medication information to the patient or family member. Checks the work of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, and volunteers for accuracy. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8-4:30pm Rotating evenings, weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-11 53531O GS-12 53532O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. Exception. Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed. 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 June 7,2012 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 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.) (b) 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. 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. 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. 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: Must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves regular and recurring physical exertion, involving, standing and walking for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 lb., typing, and bending/stooping.

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 Salt Lake City Health Care System 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]