Clarification from the agency

First area of consideration will go to current, permanent Department of VA employees and current/past Health Professions Trainees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

Clinical
i. Reviews patients' medication profiles and medical records as necessary for appropriate drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Able to interpret routine laboratory values and to apply that knowledge in the evaluation of drug therapy and patient care. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment regimens as needed.
ii. Provides timely responses to drug information requests from patient care providers and nurses.
iii. Provides counseling to patients on drug-drug interactions, adverse effects, food-drug interactions, product availability, and pharmacy policies.
iv. Processes patient prescriptions to maintain a timely discharge from Urgent Care or inpatient units.
v. Processes prescriptions in the outpatient queue at a regular and reoccurring daily basis.
vi. Participates in multidisciplinary review of patients, evaluates pertinent laboratory data, drug and drug-nutrient interactions, monitors for adverse drug effects, and screens for allergies.
vii. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with local policies and procedures.
viii. Reviews and evaluates orders for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance based on established criteria and/or clinical judgement.
ix. Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUE) program as assigned.
x. Has expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and able to make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings and local policy.
xi. Manages various actions, as appropriate, for medication orders to include, but not limited to: alerts, consults and queue management.

Dispensing
i. Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, and route of administration prior to dispensing.
ii. Ensures all medications orders are entered into the electronic health record.
iii. Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance, potential abuse or diversion. Concerns will be addressed with provider as appropriate.
iv. Provides oversight and maintains knowledge of technical staff in all aspects of pharmacy and pharmaceutical care.
v. Ensures that all orders are verified and filled in an accurate, timely manner.
vi. Responsible for the preparation of compounded sterile products according to USP standards and local policy and procedures.
vii. Maintains adequate drug stock, inspects drug storage areas, supervises prepacking and the operation of automated dispensing equipment.
viii. Ensures drugs dispensed are completely and accurately labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations.
ix. Responsible for proper handling of hazardous substances in full compliance with USP standards and local policy and procedures
x. Maintains appropriate records and completes reports as necessary.
xi. Process outpatient medication orders and discharges as required.
xii. Inputs medication allergy data when information is provided by patient/care giver/provider.
xiii. Enters or removes non-VA medication data when information is provided by patient and/or caregiver.

Education
i. Completes all required training in a timely manner.
ii. Responsible for maintaining his/her professional competency by keeping abreast of current medical and pharmaceutical literature, new drugs and therapies.
iii. Effectively instructs patient and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices.
iv. Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others.
v. May serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students and/or pharmacy residents.
vi. Assumes an active role in staff development of peers and provides educational in-services to nursing, medical staff and to other ancillary services, as requested.

Green Environmental Management System (GEMS):
i. Ensure compliance with applicable environmental requirements, to prevent pollution and conserve resources.
ii. Enhance our image with regulators, patients, the public, and stakeholder groups through the careful handling of medications throughout the dispensing process and through the appropriate handling/sorting/routing of outdated medications to be set aside for destruction or routed for credit.
iii. Shall follow all policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and requirements and be a good steward of the environment through pollution prevention, waste minimization and resource conservation.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-2000 alternating shifts; Every 3rd weekend 0800-2000 alternating shifts
Telework: Not available
Functional Statement #: 93690-A, 93691-A

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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. 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.) (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).

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.

Assignment. Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity.

GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level)

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. Examples of experience include 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; or 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

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 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: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. The physical demands of the work includes moderate lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 44 lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, light lifting of under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required), walking up to 4 hours, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, kneeling, repeated bending/stooping, climbing, use of legs and arms, operation of vehicle/motorized cart, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20, specific visual requirement, ability to read fine print on labels, depth perceptions, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), clear speech, and emotional stability.

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, resume, 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.