Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

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DRUG DISPENSING:

• Receives and accurately interprets written orders of physicians and dentists utilizing professional knowledge of drugs. All necessary clarification and corrections will be made prior to dispensing. Decisions regarding appropriateness will be based upon local and VA policies, professional standards and the latest available drug information. Documents that a corrective action, if required, was recommended. Reviews and maintains complete records of drugs and other pertinent information before dispensing and assures that the dose is within the therapeutic range and does not adversely affect the action of other drugs or conditions on the patient's profile.
• When assigned to outpatient area, oversees and participates in the prompt and timely processing of all prescriptions received. Provides education to patients upon request and when new medication, new dosage and/or new medication instructions are ordered by a physician. Will provide written recommendations for a continuing resolution of any problems in the drug distribution process.
• Correctly interprets and dispenses or supervises dispensing of all inpatient medications, including ward stock, automatic stock replenishment, unit dose and intravenous admixtures. All physician orders will be reviewed for correctness of dosages, route of administration etc. Provides inpatient medication in a timely fashion in accordance with the needs of the patient. Will provide written recommendations for a continuing resolution of any problems in the drug distribution process.
• Expertise in drug stability, reconstitution requirements, able to recognize incompatibilities, able to recognize overdoses and contraindications in orders. Will keep updated and will apply the latest sterile compounding techniques, the latest I.V. administration techniques, I.V. equipment and I.V. drug information reference sources. Will understand and apply the critical nature of infection control procedures and the importance of maintaining a clean, aseptic work area.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of policies, procedures, protocols and responsibilities and will be able to perform or supervise performance of all responsibilities assigned to pharmacy in the unit dose program.

• Utilizes a knowledge of the methods and procedures of clinical review of physicians' and dentists' orders. Communicates with patients regarding their medications.
• Provides accurate, unbiased and cost-effective drug information to professional health care providers utilizing a knowledge of adult and geriatric pharmacotherapy in psychiatry and medicine. Resolves drug related problems and questions in a timely and professional manner. Communicates questionable situations to the physician or nurse when necessary.
• Provides admission and discharge patient medication interviews or counseling for drug history, compliance enhancement, and pharmacotherapeutic plan development.

• Directs and inspects the work of subordinates involved in the technical and clerical functions of the pharmacy; maintains timeliness of workload.
• Orients and trains pharmacy staff, students and residents to ensure acceptable quality of work within areas assigned. Develops personal training plans and documents the course of training. Documents personal plans and accomplishments.
• Serves on medical center committee(s) when assigned and/or if opportunity exists.
• Maintains and reports required data on inventory, workload, dispensing records and drug use evaluation.
• Operates the computer programs and equipment required in each area of assignment.
• Participates in ongoing continuing education programs at the Medical Center in order to develop and maintain knowledge of adult and geriatric pharmacotherapy, Pharmacoeconomics, pharmaceutics, and hospital pharmacy.
• Understands of the hospital formulary system. Must be able to respond to a non-formulary request by suggesting a formulary drug as an alternative and must know how to handle special request items.
• Promotes basic clinical programs, departmental goals and objectives of an effective and efficient drug distribution. Maintains proper relationships with medical and paramedical personnel as well as non-professional personnel.

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

All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement, 02/17/2026.

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

• 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,
  2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Applicants must be able to distinguish basic colors.

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants in order of Veteran's Preference.

*NOTE: Veteran's Preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal Employees.

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.