CLINICAL PHARMACIST

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Hines (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs in Illinois seeks a Clinical Pharmacist to adjudicate prior authorization drug requests (PADRs) and support clinical operations. The role requires a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) or BS Pharmacy with licensure, and strong knowledge of formulary policies and medication safety.

Responsibilities include evaluating requests, ensuring compliance with VA policies, and collaborating with healthcare teams to optimize patient care.

Qualifications

• Pharmacist licensure in a US state required.
• ACPE-accredited degree; foreign grads may qualify with FPGEC and TOEFL.

Responsibilities

• Adjudicate PADRs in accordance with formulary and policy.
• Support clinical and operational activities as assigned.
• Collaborate with healthcare teams to ensure safe and effective medication use.

Skills

Professional pharmacy practice

Oral and written communication

Regulatory and formulary knowledge

Clinical drug therapy monitoring

Education

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BS Pharmacy)

Job description

The Clinical Pharmacist serves as a primary professional pharmacy staff member and functions independently to provide support to clinical and operational activities as assigned. The primary responsibility of this role will be to adjudicate prior authorization drug requests (PADRs) in accordance with formulary and policy requirements. 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 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: [phone], 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.) (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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). (DOCUMENTATION 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. 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).

Grade Determinations

GS-12 Clinical PharmacistEducation or Experience: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, candidates must meet one of the following:

• 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) VA or Non VA Experience -OR-
• Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

AND In addition, must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.
• Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Physical Requirements

• The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the duties of this position.
• The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, looking at computer screens and other digital devices throughout the day, typing, walking distances within the medical center, frequent twisting/turning, and bending/stooping.
• The incumbent must be able to perform lifting/carrying, pushing or pulling different types of equipment such as cabinets, carts or supplies weighing at maximum 50 pounds through various terrains.
• This position routinely prepares medications that requires special handling and documentation including but not limited to hazardous drug medications. Must be able to wear appropriate respiratory and other personal protective equipment (i.e., N-95's, PAPRS) as required by policy.