Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent, employees of the Veteran's Health Administration, and to current/past/upcoming VHA Health Professions Trainee (HPT) Graduates. An HPT may be VA-paid, Without Compensation (WOC), or a participant of the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program that has been appointed to a temporary position in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experience to satisfy program or degree requirements.

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The Pharmacist is a GS-11 graduate pharmacist seeking licensure. The GS-12 is a Licensed Clinical Pharmacist professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics.

The primary functions will be the interpretation and verification of physician's orders, patient medication profile review (allergy, drug interaction screens etc.) providing drug and policy information to patients and medical center staff. The clinical pharmacist also applies standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs.

Duties for this position at the GS-11 are provided under the supervision of a Licensed Pharmacist.

Duties for this position at the GS-12 may include but not limited to:

• The clinical pharmacist carries out the following duties and responsibilities subsequent to establishment of a working diagnosis and initial treatment plan by the patient's provider(s) and in accordance with accepted standards of practice or the pharmacological management guidelines established by the Medical Advisory Panel (MAP).
• When finishing outpatient prescriptions and/or inpatient medication orders, reviews available medication profiles for appropriateness of therapy, contraindications to drug use, therapeutic duplication, allergies, adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, evidence of drug use/misuse/abuse, compliance, and formulary adherence.
• Manages various actions, as appropriate, for medication orders to include: flagging prescriptions, managing view alerts, using the "hold medication" function, and generating unsigned discontinued orders using Service Reject.
• When appropriate adjusts medications by discontinuing and/or generating new/renewed prescriptions for items other than Controlled Substances with the verbal or written approval of a physician or authorized prescriber. Adjustments are made based on review of patients' physical signs and symptoms and any relevant clinical and/or pharmacokinetic data available.
• Provides pharmacokinetic consultation, including dosing vancomycin and aminoglycosides, in accordance with local policy.
• Completes medication histories including patient interviews.
• Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA ADERS reporting program.
• Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUE) program.
• Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care per facility policy.
• Extends refills until next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per facility policy.

Work Schedule: Work Schedule: 8-hour shifts between 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with opportunity to telework based on the discretion of the supervisor. All tours are subject to change depending on the needs of the service. Weekends and Holiday may be required based on need.
Compressed/Flexible: Not available.
Telework: Available, based on agency needs.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 20222F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Approved
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• 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.
  • Exception: non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a graduate pharmacist. 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.

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.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 below criteria).

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.

Grade Determinations:

GS-11 Pharmacist (Developmental): Experience, Education and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. (Note: See exception to licensure requirement above)

GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level): In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:

• 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, OR
• Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

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: Preferred Experience: Experience in identifying and implementing cost containment strategies, answering questions regarding formulary management, medication conversions and substitutions, and adjudicating non-formulary/prior authorization drug request (PADR) consults

References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G15, dated June 7, 2012.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: This position requires moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds; reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking 4 hours, standing 8 hours, both legs, near vision (correctable), both eyes, ability to distinguish basic colors, shades of colors, and hearing without aid.

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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.