Clarification from the agency

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

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The Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy Specialist functions as a drug therapy expert with a scope of practice which includes prescriptive authority associated with medication management for a minimum of 25% of appointed time, monitoring drug therapy, ordering laboratory tests, conducting medication reconciliation, assisting with Code Blue medical emergencies, and other specified clinical functions in Inpatient and Emergency Department settings. In addition, 40% of the incumbent's time is spent in pharmacy ADPAC functions which include managing pharmacy software packages and interfaces with pharmacy automated equipment.

Major Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Clinical:

1. Interviews and evaluates patients upon admission to inpatient settings for appropriateness of pharmacologic therapy. Develops a pharmaceutical care plan for patients who need pharmacotherapy and documents pharmaceutical care plan in pharmacy progress note.
2. Performs medication review for indication, effectiveness, safety, adherence, therapeutic duplications, and therapeutic alternatives for non-formulary agents. Documents clinical activities including drug therapy recommendations and monitoring parameters.
3. Performs medication reconciliation and updates medication profiles to include information about prescription and nonprescription drugs, dietary supplements, and alternative therapies.
4. Screens patient's medication profile for adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, dosing (particularly in patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency), and/or drug allergies; records findings in CPRS chart as well as VA Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (ADERS) as appropriate.
5. Assesses appropriateness of medication orders and ensures timely provision of appropriate medications. Assists with medical emergencies. Recommend appropriate drug therapy.
6. Orders necessary laboratory tests for monitoring and adjusting medications as part of interdisciplinary team.

ADP APPLICATIONS COORDINATOR (ADPAC)

1. The ADPAC has primary responsibility for the management of automated data processing within Pharmacy Service and for coordination with Information Resource Management Service (IRMS) to procure the programs and technical assistance needed to support pharmaceutical services.
2. Reviews new Pharmacy computer programs and assists Chief, Pharmacy Service in evaluating their potential impact on information services and productivity. Assesses the software to determine if there will be any problems with use and resolves any problems prior to full implementation of the new software package. Provides comprehensive training to Pharmacy staff (in coordination with the Pharmacy Managers) on the use of the upgraded and/or new VA software.
3. Acts as a liaison for Pharmacy Service with IRMS. Analyzes problem(s) and/or need(s) being encountered by Pharmacy Service and provides this information to IRMS in a format to allow for timely resolution of the problem/issue. Also acts as a liaison for other staff members and VACO regarding computer programs/computer generated reports and computer errors. Represents Pharmacy Service on all VISTA committees/work groups.
4. Is primarily responsible for the maintenance of VIST A/CPRS pharmacy files. Assures the accuracy of the information in the drug file when new drugs are approved for formulary addition.
5. Participates in data management of pharmacy-related computer programs such as the adverse drug reaction file. Serves as a liaison with other departments to address potential problems when information in other Services' software affect pharmacy processes.

Administrative:

1. Conducts Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting.
2. Develops programs for improved medication use in collaboration with health care providers.
3. Develops and conducts drug usage evaluations in areas of need from a cost and patient outcome perspective.
4. Documents cost reduction/cost avoidance activities on a periodic basis.
5. Manages the formulary and ensures its appropriate utilization by health care providers
6. Manages an effective quality assurance program for service that meets the changing service, patient, and Medical Center needs.
7. Accurately completes all assignments in a timely manner as defined by Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor, Pharmacy Services for the Sacramento Division.
8. Serves as a representative of Pharmacy Service on assigned committees and subcommittees.
9. Assures adherence with VA and other accrediting bodies in meeting medication use standards

Work Schedule: Variable, 8 hr shift, rotate afternoon/night/ weekends shift
Telework: Not eligible
Functional Statement #: 09696-F
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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.

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

Preferred Experience: 1yr Inpatient experience / PGY1 or specialty training


Basic Requirements:

1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

2. English Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).3.

3. 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 2 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 InternetBased Test (TOEFL iBT).

4. 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.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 licens e 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.


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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

1. Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
3. If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

GS-13 Clinical Pharmacist

• 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 or
  2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):
  1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
  2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
  3. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
  4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
  5. Advanced 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 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.