Pharmacist/ Clinical Pharmacist

Health Profession Trainees (HPT's) pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. All applicants pending the completion of certification/licensure requirements may be referred as a Graduate Pharmacist at the GS-11 level 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. 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.) 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 Internet[1]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. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. 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. Licensure Exception. Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-11 Pharmacist Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) 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. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): 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. Preferred Experience: Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, especially during evening or reduced staff hours. Experience performing clinical interventions, medication therapy management (MTM), and resolving drug therapy problems. Proficiency with drug utilization review, medication reconciliation, and ensuring safe, effective medication use. Experience with high volume prescription processing, evening workflow management, and maintaining accuracy under time pressure. Strong communication skills for interacting with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams, including those contacting the pharmacy after clinic hours. Experience with VA systems such as CPRS, VistA, or BCMA Proficiency with ScriptPro pharmacy automation. Experience with Prepacking unit dose medications. Experience processing Prior Authorization requests. Proficiency with handling VA community care prescription processing. Demonstrated commitment to customer service, patient education, and resolving issues promptly during independently staffed shifts. 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-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Ability to distinguish basic colors Pharmacists may dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to health practitioners and patients about proper usage of medications. Pharmacists advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the safe and effective use of medication. Pharmacists may practice compounding. Pharmacists may prescribe and administer certain medications. Pharmacists may have prescriptive authority to either independently prescribe under their own authority or in collaboration with a primary care physician through an agreed upon protocol. Pharmacy work requires knowledge of the use, clinical effects, and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties. Many pharmacists work in a in a hospital or clinic. Pharmacists in hospitals and clinics may perform duties such as, but not limited to: - dispense, prescribe and/or administer medications; - advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs; - may make sterile solutions and buy medical supplies; - assess, plan, and monitor drug programs or regimens; - counsel patients on the use of drugs; and - evaluate drug use patterns and outcomes for patients in hospitals or managed care organizations.