Clinical Pharmacist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Missouri; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a pharmacist to interpret orders, dispense medications, and prepare specialized formulations at an active medical center.

The role requires ACPE-accredited pharmacy education (BS Pharmacy or Pharm.D.), and a current state license. Preference for inpatient/outpatient experience; GS-11 to GS-12 grade determination. Standard federal work environment in Missouri.

Qualifications

• US citizenship and English proficiency required.
• ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. or BS Pharmacy degree.
• Full, current pharmacist license in a U.S. state or DC.
• Temporary Graduate Pharmacist option under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) may apply for entry level.

Responsibilities

• Interpret provider orders and dispense medications.
• Prepare specialized medications as needed.
• Counsel patients on proper administration and storage of medications.
• Work across all areas of the pharmacy in the medical center.

Skills

Pharmacy practice knowledge

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Drug therapy monitoring

Education

Pharm.D. or BS Pharmacy

Tools

PADR processing

Job description

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. 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.

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).

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: [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.)
• 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.
  • 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.

Grade Determinations

GS-11 Pharmacist:

Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level):

(a) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:

1. One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or,
2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

and, In addition to the above, 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 Pharmacy experience
• 797/800 knowledge
• PADR processing experience

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

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.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks …