CLINICAL PHARMACIST

Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for an Clinical Pharmacist (Outpatient). The primary functions will be interpretation of doctor's orders - reviewing the computerized medications - and providing a variety of pharmaceutical information and guidance to patients and medical center staff.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Education: 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 Determinations: Pharmacist - GS-12 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 security
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005 - Part 2 - Appendix G15
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position
• The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion - involving standing for prolonged periods of time - lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing at least 50 lbs. - and bending/stooping
• Grandfathering Provision: 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)
• 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.
  
  

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The Clinical Pharmacist duties include - but are not limited to: Screens patient profile for appropriateness - duplication - drug/drug and drug/food interactions - incompatibilities or other drug related problems - and making recommendations - for change to the prescriber when necessary
• Furnishes drug information to physicians - dentists - nurses - pharmacists - patients - and others
• Information should be age and physical status appropriate
• Checks technicians/trainee prepared unit doses - IV admixtures - and a variety of outpatient prescriptions fills for accuracy
• Handles controlled substances and investigational drugs in accordance with required regulations - local procedures - and approved protocols
• Prepares - dispenses compounds - and appropriately labels a variety of pharmaceuticals to outpatients and inpatients
• This includes parenteral - oral solids and liquids - topical - sterile intravenous products - and approved protocols
• Assists in training and orientation of newly hired pharmacists and technicians - interns and students Acts as preceptor or trainer for pharmacy interns - pharmacy students and technician students
• Works independently under minimal supervisory controls
• Assists in the supervision of work activities of technicians - interns - students - and volunteers
• Checks and evaluates dispensing activities
• Enforces security and safety guidelines and procedures
• Appropriately handles and disposes of hazardous chemicals and dangerous drugs
• Completes appropriate state required continuing education (CE) credits - and maintains license in active status
• Work Schedule: Mondays - Fridays 12:00pm-8:30pm - 12:30pm-9:00pm
• 1:30pm-12:00am (8/10 hr) rotation weekends and holidays as needed Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 91445-O (GS-12) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized