Description:
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval , award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.Requirements:
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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) 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) 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. 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 Determination:
GS- 11 Clinical Pharmacist
Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
Assignment: Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity.
GS- 12 Clinical Pharmacist
Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:
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. In addition to meeting the experience, selected applicant must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):
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. Functions include but are not limited to the following description:A. Clinical: Monitors drug therapy regimens for contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, allergies, appropriateness of drug and dose, and therapeutic duplications. Detects and reports suspected Adverse Drug Events (ADE), near misses and medication incidents accurately and in a timely manner in alignment with VA ADERS reporting program. Sustains the formulary by utilizing therapeutic substitution protocols and promoting rational drug therapy selection. Reviews and completes non-formulary consults as assigned. B. Dispensing: Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route of administration and quantity ordered, prior to dispensing. Ensures all medication orders are entered into the patient electronic medical record. Processes, prepares and dispenses medication orders per provider request in a timely manner and according to established policies, procedures, and protocols. C. Administrative: Maintains accurate accountability of all controlled substances. Assists in coordinating the work of the pharmacy technicians. Assists in the training of new employees and students. Works independently with minimal supervision. Organizes and prioritizes work assignments. Thoroughly completes medication error reporting forms.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard) dated June 7, 2012.
Physical Requirements: The work places no special physical demand on the employee. The work includes walking, standing, bending and carrying of light items.