Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to Veterans and US Citizens. Current, federal employees that wish to be considered for this position must apply to announcement CBSS-10721029-20-HRG. Applicants will be considered in the following order. 1: Current, permanent federal employees. 2. Veterans 3. US Citizens.

INFORMATICS

1. Monitor and verify all non-CS invoices for the pharmacy thru the Drug Accountability program.
2. Responsible for updating and maintaining accurate up-to date information and costs for all drugs in drug file including reviewing high cost drug reports and initiating monthly cost recalculations.
3. Adding new drugs into local drug file from National Drug file as requested and maintaining formulary updates for reflect the national PBM change .
4. Creating and maintaining Prior Approval drug request consults containing templates for criteria for use with consult teams attached.
5. Maintaining Pyxis drug formulary and patient listings in the main console for information to be forwarded to the respective med-stations.
6. Monitoring and trouble-shooting all HL7 messaging and interfaces for all pharmacy automated dispensing equipment. Enters necessary electronic work orders as needed to repair pharmacy equipment.
7. Generating any and all pharmacy reporting requested from other VA hospital areas and personnel.
8. Building and maintaining CPRS pharmacy quick orders and menus for providers and Clinical Application Coordinators to facility implementation of various hospital protocols.
9. Requesting, monitoring, and clearing all new hospital access codes for computer access for all pharmacy personnel. Responsible for modifying menu options and security keys as requirements changes.
10. Responsible for creating, installing, and maintaining all PickPoint locations, equipment, drug formularies, and provider access.
11. Oversees the e-pharmacy setup, prescription processing, and reject handling.
12. Responsible for AudioRenewal clinic setup and maintenance including daily review of renewal requests and processing fall-outs

DISPENSING

• Maintain dispensing and clinical skills.
• Responsible for processing all prescriptive workload generated by the clinic or wards.
• Ensures adequate supplies of medication are dispensed to prevent disruption of therapy.
• Provides prescriptions for medical supplies when necessary.
• Directs and inspects the work of subordinates.
• Provides strict security of controlled substances.
• Knowledge of all rules and regulations regarding dispensing of controlled substances.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Makes patient centric care a priority.
• Contacts with patients and their families demonstrate a concerned, compassionate, helpful, and knowledgeable attitude.
• Provides reliable pharmaceutical information to health care providers.
• Provides orientation and guidance for new pharmacists, technicians, students, etc. to ensure that procedures and techniques are learned and shared by all employees.

ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS

• Monitor and track data and other issues as requested by the Pharmacy management as related to quality and timeliness of clinical and dispensing services.
• Generates reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Serves as the Pharmacy representative to one or more medical center committees.

SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

• Responsible for maintaining ADP security.
• Responsible for maintaining patient information in the strictest confidence.

FLSA: Exempt
Duty Station: John Cochran Division, but may be changed to any other VASTLHC location based on the needs of the medical center.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.
• 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.)
• 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.
• Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements the following criteria must be met for consideration at the GS-12 grade:
(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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15


Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-44 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8 hours); Standing (8 hours); Kneeling (1 hours); Repeated bending (4 hours); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Specific visual requirement: DVA correctable to 20/40; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.