Clinical Pharmacist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Clinical Pharmacist at the Saint Albans VAMC in Queens, NY, provides expert pharmacotherapy analysis, resolves real and potential drug related problems, and ensures optimal drug therapy for patients. This role also covers the distribution and management of both controlled and non-controlled medications in accordance with VA standards.

The position requires US citizenship, graduation from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program ( Pharm.D.

Qualifications

• US citizenship; eligible for VA employment.
• Graduate of ACPE-accredited pharmacy program (BS Pharmacy or Pharm.D.).
• Full, current, unrestricted licensure to practice pharmacy in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Review and verify medication orders for appropriateness.
• Process and fill medication orders.
• Provide drug information and recommendations to staff.
• Monitor and reconcile medication therapies and patient histories.
• Assist in formulary management and adverse drug events.

Skills

Pharmacy practice

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Medication therapy

Education

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

ACPE-accredited BS Pharmacy

Job description

Summary

The Clinical Pharmacist is a licensed professional who will work at the Saint Albans VAMC - Queens - NY. The incumbent is responsible for analyzing real and potential drug related problems and implementing corrective action to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy. The Clinical Pharmacist also applies standards relating to all aspects of the distribution and management of both controlled and non controlled drugs.

Summary

The Clinical Pharmacist is a licensed professional who will work at the Saint Albans VAMC - Queens - NY. The incumbent is responsible for analyzing real and potential drug related problems and implementing corrective action to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy. The Clinical Pharmacist also applies standards relating to all aspects of the distribution and management of both controlled and non controlled drugs.

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

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) 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.) (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
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision
• 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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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 Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) (a) 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
• (b) 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
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is at the GS-12 level
• Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing - walking - bending - twisting - and carrying light items.

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The primary function of a Clinical Pharmacist is to assure the safe and appropriate use of medications - and to be an advocate of rational drug therapy through the following: Assessing the appropriateness of drug therapy
• individualizing drug therapy based on patient specific factors and dispensing medication and providing drug information
• A Clinical Pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with all applicable local - state - federal and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) - rules and regulations
• This includes - but is not limited to: A
• Reviewing - interpreting - and verifying medication orders for appropriateness
• B
• Processing and filling medication orders
• C
• Interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy which ensures safe and effective care
• D
• Reviewing the patient's medications - allergies - laboratory results - and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication related problems by contacting providers as appropriate
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 21M50A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized