Clinical Pharmacist

The Prior Authorization Clinical Pharmacist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. The Pharmacist is responsible for routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations, with a focus in the Non-VA Purchased Care Prescription Dispensing program.

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 (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.
• 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. NOTE: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.
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

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:

Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

Grade Determinations GS-12:

Experience/Education:
1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Or
Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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.

Preferred Experience: PGY1 residency and/or experience with nonformulary/prior authorization request.

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities:

• Recommends appropriate selection of drug therapy based upon the pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitoring for efficacy, side effects and clinical outcome; and after review with a Clinical Pharmacist, advises prescribers as appropriate.
• Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy.
• Provides medication counseling to patients.
• Implements and applies the VA formulary, guidelines, and restrictions to all PADRs being adjudicated.
• Documents PADR adjudication and/or formulary initiative activities in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriate.
• Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required.
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
• Reports safety hazards, accidents, and injuries. Implements, monitors and reviews hazardous materials/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/waste management, fire protection.
• Serves as an authority on medication utilization, drug-drug and drug-food interactions, acceptable medication dosages, and compliance strategies.
• Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria.
• Understands, reviews, and applies criteria for use for each requested drug or supply as appropriate.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61983F & 62087F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $121,211