Summary

The inpatient pharmacist interprets physicians' orders - dispenses medications and is responsible for drug availability and accountability - patient drug therapy - the informational needs of physicians and nurses for safer drug prescribing and administration - and for the review of drug use to enhance patient outcomes.

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
• Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
• (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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
• (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED) English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402(d) and 7407(d)
• 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-12: (a) Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet one of the following: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - or Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
• (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
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 12
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion - involving stating or sitting for prolonged periods of time - typing - walking
• Additionally - occasional lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies may be required - and bending - stooping or stretching.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Receives - interprets - processes - and fills medication orders
• Completes order entries of chemotherapy protocols with scheduling of long-term therapy for both oral and I.V
• medications
• Prepares chemotherapy products utilizing aseptic technique and trained protective guidelines
• Assists in drug procurement by reporting needed items to the unit's pharmaceutical procurer
• Prepares parenteral nutrition products following a patient assessment of medical and nutritional needs
• Reviews the patient's medication profile for any possible drug allergies - incompatibilities - interactions - duplications - or compliance problems
• Actively participates in the Medical Center's medication use reviews/studies to assess our medication use patterns including treatment of pain
• Also participates in evaluating new drug requests and non-formulary requests for the inpatient pharmacy
• Work with the discharge team and Pharmacy to ensure a smooth and timely discharge process
• Assumes an active role in the professional education pharmacy students and provides guidance through designate programs
• Contributes to continuing education by providing presentations or in-services on current pharmaceutical issues to both the professional and technical staff
• Participates in quality assurance audits and drug utilization reviews
• Acts to ensure that Medical Center and Pharmacy policies and procedures are consistently followed
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 10:00am - 6:30pm with rotating weekends and holidays
• Work Schedule subject to change based on facility/department needs
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 508-54824-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized