Clarification from the agency

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

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Major Duties:

Prepares and dispenses medication orders per physician request according to established policies, procedures and protocols.

• Interprets medication orders (verbal & written) and transcribes to computerized patient medication prescription labels/profiles accurately. Maintains accurate, complete patient medication profiles.
• Compounds and accurately dispenses pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances and chemotherapy products.
• Maintain records as required by law.
• Has the ultimate responsibility in facilitating the delivery of the correct drug in the correct dosage to the correct patient.

• Each pharmacists assigned to a specific tour will complete the orders for that tour.
• Evaluate drug therapy regimens for contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, allergies, and appropriateness of drug and dose within the context of the individual patient's medical conditions.
• Adjust therapeutic regimen as indicated following through on problems and paying attention to detail.
• Complete medication reconciliation for discharge planning along with the completion of physicians' discharge medication orders, the dispensing of appropriate medications in a timely manner, and the counseling of patients who are being discharged from this facility, concerning the proper use of their medications. This counseling will include administration, food-drug/drug-drug interactions, proper storage of drugs, as well as the procedure to follow in cases of a missed dose. Additionally, to support basic Inpatient Pharmacy section activities such as warfarin monitoring, pharmacokinetic dosing, medical team rounding, and being a member of the Discharge Pharmacy Team.
• Provide drug dosing recommendations as outlined in the pharmaceutical care plan model.
• Reviews control substance orders for appropriateness based on indication, previous usage history, and compliance. Recommends changes as appropriate.
• Is able to multi-process i.e. able to continue to process orders, & answer questions from technical staff &/or patients (via phone or in person).
• Reads, extracts, and interprets information in the patient medical record accurately.
• Detects and reports suspected adverse drug reactions accurately and in a timely manner.

• Supervises and directs pharmacy support personnel in the absence of a supervisor. Verifies the daily activities of pharmacy technicians.
• Works independently with minimal supervision. Organizes and prioritizes work assignments. Ensures pharmacy services are provided in a timely manner.
• Answers the telephone, identifying self and department. Direct calls to appropriate personnel.
• Keeps pharmacy areas and equipment clean, neat, and well organized.

• Maintains current pharmacist licensure.
• Attends pharmacy staff meetings when possible. If not in attendance, reads the staff meeting minutes.
• Attends orientation, education and training programs. Reviews literature and other materials pertinent to the practice of pharmacy.
• Utilizes available educational resources/ opportunities and strives to continually expand therapeutic knowledge base.

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 identification 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: Graduate of an accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
• Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States 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, an 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.
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English.

• Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.
• Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

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.