Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• Medication History
  • Pull data via the electronic health record (EHR) on new patients who are new to the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).
  • Interviews patients (families/caregivers as appropriate), to develop an accurate list of medications, strengths, and dosages the patient has been taking.
  • Interviews patients for any over the counter medications and/or herbal products.
  • Review Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV) to see if patient has been receiving medications from another VA.
  • Document adverse reactions and allergies.
  • Review any patient compliance issues based on the interview and refill history.
  • Document the compiled list in the electronic health record.
  • Add the CPP as an additional cosigner to the medication history note in the EHR.
  • Contacts and collaborates with other healthcare providers in the facility as deemed appropriate.
• Clinical
  • Provide support by triaging calls and messages, contacting patients with missed or upcoming appointments, etc.
  • Interview patients to ascertain changes in medical & medication history/reconciliation. Evaluate medication regimens for appropriateness, drug interactions, therapeutic duplications, non-compliance, and adverse drug events. Enter other appropriate diagnostic test/procedures for CPP review and signature. Make recommendations to medical staff and refer patient to appropriate services as needed and notify CPP for completion.
  • Call all patients that are due/late for a refill on their targeted medications to offer refill to be mailed out for a 90-day supply and notify CPP for renewal.
  • Obtains and reviews laboratory or medical information as assigned by the CPP and reports all values beyond normal limits to the CPP for review.
  • Documents interactions accurately into the patient's medical record using computer templates and information obtained directly from the patient. Assigned CPP will review and co-sign.
  • Review consults, unsigned notes, all user alerts, and notifies CPP for completion.
  • Review population management and other patient care dashboards and report to the Clinical Pharmacy Supervisor.
• Technical
  • Work closely with other clinic administrative staff.
  • Acts as a resource person for planning, reviewing, or revising pharmacy policies and/or procedures.
  • Prioritizes operational and assigned clinical functions to provide the highest level of patient care.
  • Must possess extensive knowledge of all pharmacy computer packages/programs which include but not limited to:
    • Microsoft Windows Programs
    • EHR systems (federal EHR, JLV, etc.), national dashboards, National Drug File.
    • Must have comprehensive knowledge of how these computer packages interact with various disciplines within the organization.
• Other Duties
  • Business Rules for Scheduling. Incumbent ensures that all outpatient clinic appointments are scheduled in accordance with the business rules in VHA Directive 2006-055, Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures.
  • Helps coordinate telehealth appointments within Columbus and its community based outpatient clinics as assigned.
  • Participates in quality assurance, process improvement activities, and performance monitors.
  • Maintain competence by participating in staff development programs.
  • Provide in-service programs for appropriate clinic personnel and pharmacy technicians as assigned.
  • Successfully complete annual competency certifications based on specific clinical functions/activities assigned.
  • Performs all the duties of a pharmacy technician at the lower grades as assigned.
  • Assists in other patient care areas as deemed necessary to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services.

Work Schedule: Full Time, 8:00AM to 4:30PM
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Ad Hoc (Per Agency Need)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92223-A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 evaluation.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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 or Experience.
  • (1) None required.
  • (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level.
• Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
  • (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR
  • (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)

Grade Determinations:

GS-08

• Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) and demonstrate the KSAs below.
• Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
  • (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR
  • (b) NHA as a ExCPT.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:
  • (a) Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section.
  • (b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
  • (c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/ carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and ending/stooping/stretching.

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.