Summary

This position is located in the Pharmacy Service at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. Serves primarily as an Out patient Pharmacist whose assignments involve problems of a wide range and highly specialized nature.

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)
• c
• 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 license 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
• d
• 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 e
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• f
• English Language Proficiency
• Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations:GS-12 (2) GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet one of the following: 1
• One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - or 2
• Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
• 3
• 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
• (b) 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
• 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-12.

Duties

• Major Duties: 1
• GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES
• Serves primarily as an Outpatient Pharmacist whose assignments involve problems of a wide range and highly specialized nature - including direct patient contact
• The primary functions will be the interpretation of orders for appropriateness - preparing and dispensing of medications - evaluation of drug therapy - and patient and staff education on medications
• A high degree of knowledge in professional matters is required
• Communicates product information to patients - medical staff - nursing - and other hospital personnel
• 2
• FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE
• A
• Clinical i
• Performs Provides consultation to physicians - nurses - and other health care professionals concerning drug therapy
• ii
• Evaluates patients' medications and the patients' ability to understand medication instructions - while providing oral and written counseling to clarify or reinforce the patient's understanding
• iii
• Evaluates dosages of medication and intended therapy utilizing information and facts available
• iv
• Reviews new orders for duplication - allergies - accurate dosing - and potential drug interactions
• v
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives as directed by immediate supervisor
• vi
• Provides drug information - observations on patient response to therapy - and appropriate recommendations regarding treatment alternatives or additional interventions to maximize patient outcomes taking into consideration choice of therapy - safety - efficacy - and formulary issues
• vii
• Serves as a role model and preceptor and/or co-signer for pharmacy residents - students - and volunteers as requested
• viii
• Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care per facility policy
• ix
• Extends refills until next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per facility policy
• B
• Dispensing i
• Evaluates physician's orders for appropriateness based on medication profiles and known facts
• dispenses medication in accordance with federal requirements
• Provides quality control analysis for dispensing activities of automated dispensing equipment or pharmacy technicians
• iii
• Takes appropriate action on all medication orders including non-formulary - and out of stock items
• iv
• Assumes responsibility for assisting technicians under his/her control or guidance
• Shifts priorities and makes reasonable arrangements when necessary to ensure timely delivery of patient care
• This may include notifying supervisor or other staff members of potential problems that may lead to untimely service
• v
• Resolves problems associated with the drug distribution process - lost prescriptions - unusual usage patterns - or inadequate availability of dosage forms and/or strengths of medication
• vi
• Acts as an extension of the supervisor by assuming responsibility - seeking cooperation of employees - and resolving problems within their scope as the situation dictates
• vii
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor
• viii
• Performs essential duties of the pharmacy supervisor in his/her absence
• ix
• Manages recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths and instructions of the same medication to equal the prescribed dose and schedule
• x
• Oversees the activities of support personnel
• xi
• Utilizes pharmacy automation equipment (i.e
• ScriptPro - Eyecon - scales) to fill medications and can successfully troubleshoot issues and perform basic maintenance/cleaning
• C
• Security i
• The pharmacist will maintain strict security over all medications in the pharmacy - as well as in any medication storage areas within the hospital Work Schedule: Primarily Monday-Friday with rotating weekends and holidays
• Tours fall between 0700-1900
• Functional Statement #: 40951F