Clinical Pharmacist (Outpatient)

Summary

The primary function of a Staff Pharmacist and Clinical Pharmacist (Outpatient) is to assure the safe and appropriate use of drugs and be an advocate of rational drug therapy through the following: evaluation of the appropriateness of drug therapy based on patient specific factors; individualization of drug therapy; evaluation, dispensing and providing medications and drug information.

Duties

GS-11 DUTIES: FUNCTIONS: Provides appropriate selection of drug therapy based upon the pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitoring for efficacy, side effects and clinical outcome, and advises prescribers as appropriate. Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers and other health care professionals. Participates in patient care rounds, review charts, evaluates pertinent laboratory data, drug-drug and drug-nutrient interactions, monitors for adverse drug effects and screens for allergies. Reports adverse drug events (ADE) and clinical interventions (CI), and documents as appropriate to prevent. Participates in the drug utilization evaluation (DUE) program by collecting data and evaluating outcomes. DISPENSING: Review all physician medication orders for appropriateness, choice of drug, dosage, route of administration and the amount, by a pharmacist prior to dispensing. Review of patient's allergy history, drug-drug, drug-nutrient, drug-laboratory and drug-disease state interactions and assessment for clinical relevance should be performed and dealt with appropriately. Maintain adequate drug stock, inspect drug storage areas, supervise prepacking and the operation of automated dispensing equipment. Supervise the activities of support personnel. RESEARCH: Prepare and complete special reports and projects as assigned, which require time spent in patient care areas or interaction with other health care professionals. GS-12 DUTIES: CLINICAL/RESPONSIBILITIES/COGNITIVE SKILLS: Provides appropriate selection of drug therapy based upon the pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitoring for efficacy, side effects and clinical outcome, and advises prescribers as appropriate. Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers and other health care professionals. Reviews charts, evaluates pertinent laboratory data, drug-drug and drug-nutrient interactions, monitors for adverse drug effects and screens for allergies. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), medication events, and clinical interventions (CI), and documents as appropriate. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), medication events, and clinical interventions (CI), and documents as appropriate. DISPENSING: Review all physician medication orders for appropriateness, choice of drug, dosage, route of administration and the amount, by a pharmacist prior to dispensing. Review of patient's allergy history, drug-drug, drug-nutrient, drug-laboratory and drug-disease state interactions and assessment for clinical relevance should be performed and dealt with appropriately. Select, compound, dispense and fill a range of drugs including extemporaneous preparations, special formulations, etc. Adequate quality assurance procedures shall be followed as applicable. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: Maintain patient confidentiality. Adheres to all medical center and department policies and regulations. Manages information security within areas of responsibility to assure that computer system security and confidentiality of sensitive information is maintained, and that employee access to sensitive information is limited only to that which the employee requires to perform their duties. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts: Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm; 8:00am to 4:30pm; 8:30am to 5:00pm; 9:30am to 6:00pm with Weekends and Holidays 7:00am to 3:30pm; 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00343F/10373F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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.) OR, 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. Exception: Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacists 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. Failure to Obtain License: In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment. 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: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements. GS-11 Pharmacist (Entry Level): Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 2c(1) above.) 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