Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mishawaka (IN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (GS-13) to provide high-level clinical patient care and independent pharmacotherapy management.

This role emphasizes expert clinical practice, direct patient care, and collaboration with healthcare teams within VA settings. Preferred candidates will have a Pharm.D., ACPE-accredited training, and residency experience, with current licensure and knowledge of regulatory standards, ensuring optimal patient outcomes within

Qualifications

• Licensed pharmacist with current U.S. licensure.
• Pharm.D. degree preferred; ACPE-accredited program required for eligibility.
• ASHP-accredited residency preferred; strong clinical training.
• Full, current licensure and compliance with VA qualification standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered clinical pharmacy services at the highest level of practice.
• Direct patient care within individual scope of practice.
• Collaborate with interprofessional teams to optimize pharmacotherapy.
• Adhere to regulatory and quality standards in all clinical activities.

Skills

Clinical expertise

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Residency experience

Education

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

ACPE-accredited college

Job description

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist is a licensed pharmacist, preferably with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists accredited residency. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their individual scope of practice to directly care for patients. 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:
  • (1) 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. (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.
• 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).

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-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist:

Preferred Experience

PGY1/PGY2 preferably within VA or experience in primary care medication management

Experience

In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1-year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

In addition, Pharmacists assigned to this position must also demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical management decisions.
• Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
• Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise
• Expert knowledge of specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy
• Advanced 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-13.

Physical Requirements

Work requires moderate lifting, walking, bending, stooping, standing, pushing, and pulling. Ability to lift/push/pull light loads, carts weighing 40 pounds or more. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination. Normal range for hearing and vision.