Clinical Pharmacist
The Clinical Pharmacist:
Consults with physicians and other providers on appropriate pharmaceutical treatment regimens for patients. Provides consultation to physicians and other health care professionals on both basic and specific information concerning formulary alternatives. Spends up to 25% of time providing clinical services to clinic patients, providers and other clinic staff. Provides patient consultation concerning individual drug therapy and related problems and needs. Evaluates non-formulary consults in accordance with VA criteria for use of non-formulary medications. Monitors use of non-formulary medications on discharge and fee prescriptions to ensure that VA patients receive appropriate medications according to VA criteria of use. Processes pharmacy interventions regarding medication changes in therapy, drug-interactions, drug allergy processing, dosage errors, and other pharmacy interventions. Notifies providers of appropriate changes to medication orders and makes appropriate recommendations. Records pharmacy interventions in appropriate intervention software to track and trend interventions for quality assurance purposes. Provides appropriate selection of drug therapy. Provides patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring. Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy. Provides medication counseling to patients. Completes medication histories including patient interviews. Serves as a drug information resource to health care professionals, patients and caregivers. 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. Performs medication reconciliation. Assesses drug safety and efficacy, including evaluation of physical symptoms. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUE) program. Recommends formulary alternatives and completes non-formulary consults as assigned. Participates in medical emergencies including code teams (if BLS or ACLS certified) and emergency preparedness activities. Provides pharmacokinetic consultation, including dosing vancomycin and aminoglycosides. Implements P&T Committee policies including therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions. Manages recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths and instructions of the same medication to equal the prescribed dose and schedule. Extends refills until next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per facility policy. Serves as a role model and preceptor to pharmacy students and residents. Assumes an active role in staff development of peers and provides educational in-services to nursing, medical staff or to other ancillary services. Interprets and evaluates physician medication orders for both accuracy and appropriateness. Verifies provider medication orders in VistA to include drug interaction monitoring, proper dose, rate, and dosage form. Utilizes all applicable manual, automated and computerized prescription processing and dispensing systems. Prepares and dispenses medications in accordance with dosage form requirements, including routine outpatient prescriptions compounded preparations and sterile products (including Rx admixtures). Prepares all medications and supplies according to all applicable VA rules and regulations, FDA, DEA, State and Federal laws, rules and requirements. This includes keeping all necessary paperwork, inventories, signature logs and any other documentation necessary to comply with all VA, FDA, DEA, local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations and compliance requirements. Assists in the training of new pharmacy staff. Participates in in-service training programs for house staff (i.e., CPR instructor) Serves as a preceptor to students of Affiliated Schools of Pharmacy. Represents Pharmacy services in a professional manner that focuses on the needs of the patient and not on personal or competing agendas. Maintains licensure in good standing. Coordinates patient training with other clinic staff in various disease state education, such as teaching diabetes classes for patients or offering education to patients on lipid therapy. Routinely oversees the work of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, and volunteers. Periodically performs all necessary departmental supervisory functions in the absence of the supervisor. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, rotating shifts, 8:
00 AM - 4:
30 PM; 8:
30 AM - 5:
00 PM; 9:
00 AM -6:
30 PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
(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. English Language Proficiency:
Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). If applicable, 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). Preferred
Experience:
(1) Comprehensive knowledge of pharmacy practice and dispensing of pharmaceutical medication, supplies, and drug information (2) Comprehensive knowledge of DEA, FDA, VA, State, TJC, and other standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs to patients (3) Must be able to communicate effectively with others and exercise a high degree of tact in coordinating with and advising other members of the hospital staff, and in their various other professional contacts and in dealing with patients. Grade Determinations:
GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist:
Experience or Education:
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:
1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. 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):
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. Knowledge of Professional Pharmacy Practices:
To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with professional pharmacy practice. Professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional or unlicensed graduate pharmacist as defined by the appropriate licensing board. Residency and Fellowship Training:
Residency and fellowship training programs in a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. The pharmacy residency program must be accredited by the American Society of Health- System Pharmacists (ASHP). A fellowship program that is not accredited by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) will need to have comparable standards for experience to be creditable (Professional Standards Board refers to the Deputy Chief Consultant for Professional Practice for the determination). Quality of
Experience:
Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to pharmacy experience at the next lower level. Experience as a Graduate Pharmacist is creditable provided the candidate was used as a professional pharmacist (under supervision) and subsequently passed the appropriate licensure examination. References:
VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15 dated June 7, 2012 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-12. Physical Requirements:
Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds Straight pulling, 1 hour Pushing, 1 hour Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking, 2 hours Repeated bending, 2 hours Both legs required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted)
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Consults with physicians and other providers on appropriate pharmaceutical treatment regimens for patients. Provides consultation to physicians and other health care professionals on both basic and specific information concerning formulary alternatives. Spends up to 25% of time providing clinical services to clinic patients, providers and other clinic staff. Provides patient consultation concerning individual drug therapy and related problems and needs. Evaluates non-formulary consults in accordance with VA criteria for use of non-formulary medications. Monitors use of non-formulary medications on discharge and fee prescriptions to ensure that VA patients receive appropriate medications according to VA criteria of use. Processes pharmacy interventions regarding medication changes in therapy, drug-interactions, drug allergy processing, dosage errors, and other pharmacy interventions. Notifies providers of appropriate changes to medication orders and makes appropriate recommendations. Records pharmacy interventions in appropriate intervention software to track and trend interventions for quality assurance purposes. Provides appropriate selection of drug therapy. Provides patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring. Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy. Provides medication counseling to patients. Completes medication histories including patient interviews. Serves as a drug information resource to health care professionals, patients and caregivers. 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. Performs medication reconciliation. Assesses drug safety and efficacy, including evaluation of physical symptoms. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUE) program. Recommends formulary alternatives and completes non-formulary consults as assigned. Participates in medical emergencies including code teams (if BLS or ACLS certified) and emergency preparedness activities. Provides pharmacokinetic consultation, including dosing vancomycin and aminoglycosides. Implements P&T Committee policies including therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions. Manages recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths and instructions of the same medication to equal the prescribed dose and schedule. Extends refills until next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per facility policy. Serves as a role model and preceptor to pharmacy students and residents. Assumes an active role in staff development of peers and provides educational in-services to nursing, medical staff or to other ancillary services. Interprets and evaluates physician medication orders for both accuracy and appropriateness. Verifies provider medication orders in VistA to include drug interaction monitoring, proper dose, rate, and dosage form. Utilizes all applicable manual, automated and computerized prescription processing and dispensing systems. Prepares and dispenses medications in accordance with dosage form requirements, including routine outpatient prescriptions compounded preparations and sterile products (including Rx admixtures). Prepares all medications and supplies according to all applicable VA rules and regulations, FDA, DEA, State and Federal laws, rules and requirements. This includes keeping all necessary paperwork, inventories, signature logs and any other documentation necessary to comply with all VA, FDA, DEA, local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations and compliance requirements. Assists in the training of new pharmacy staff. Participates in in-service training programs for house staff (i.e., CPR instructor) Serves as a preceptor to students of Affiliated Schools of Pharmacy. Represents Pharmacy services in a professional manner that focuses on the needs of the patient and not on personal or competing agendas. Maintains licensure in good standing. Coordinates patient training with other clinic staff in various disease state education, such as teaching diabetes classes for patients or offering education to patients on lipid therapy. Routinely oversees the work of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, and volunteers. Periodically performs all necessary departmental supervisory functions in the absence of the supervisor. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, rotating shifts, 8:
00 AM - 4:
30 PM; 8:
30 AM - 5:
00 PM; 9:
00 AM -6:
30 PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
(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. English Language Proficiency:
Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). If applicable, 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). Preferred
Experience:
(1) Comprehensive knowledge of pharmacy practice and dispensing of pharmaceutical medication, supplies, and drug information (2) Comprehensive knowledge of DEA, FDA, VA, State, TJC, and other standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs to patients (3) Must be able to communicate effectively with others and exercise a high degree of tact in coordinating with and advising other members of the hospital staff, and in their various other professional contacts and in dealing with patients. Grade Determinations:
GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist:
Experience or Education:
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:
1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. 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):
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. Knowledge of Professional Pharmacy Practices:
To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with professional pharmacy practice. Professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional or unlicensed graduate pharmacist as defined by the appropriate licensing board. Residency and Fellowship Training:
Residency and fellowship training programs in a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis. The pharmacy residency program must be accredited by the American Society of Health- System Pharmacists (ASHP). A fellowship program that is not accredited by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) will need to have comparable standards for experience to be creditable (Professional Standards Board refers to the Deputy Chief Consultant for Professional Practice for the determination). Quality of
Experience:
Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to pharmacy experience at the next lower level. Experience as a Graduate Pharmacist is creditable provided the candidate was used as a professional pharmacist (under supervision) and subsequently passed the appropriate licensure examination. References:
VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15 dated June 7, 2012 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-12. Physical Requirements:
Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds Straight pulling, 1 hour Pushing, 1 hour Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking, 2 hours Repeated bending, 2 hours Both legs required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted)
- Department:
0660 Pharmacist - Salary Range:
$117,116 to $152,257 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
