The Clinical Pharmacist (CP) serves as a representative of the Pharmacy Service in a variety of positions throughout the Medical Center. The CP is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics, involving direct and indirect patient care. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. 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: 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.) 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. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. Grandfathering Provision. 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: 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. 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. 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. 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. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The Clinical Pharmacist duties include, but are not limited to: Maintains a clinical practice within area of expertise to sustain clinical proficiency, including review of consults, direct patient care, and establishing coverage for clinical services when on leave. Evaluates patients and monitors response to drug therapy, making recommendations for changes in drug therapy as needed depending on appropriate laboratory and clinical assessment. Educates patients on their drug therapy with respect to compliance and dietary restrictions, heightening awareness of toxicity and interactions with other medications. Responsible for the review of medication regimens within area of clinical practice and notifying providers of any findings that might require action Applies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities requiring intervention. Recommends alternative drug therapies designed to reduce cost of medications while ensuring optimal therapeutic response. Advises providers on aspects of clinical pharmacokinetics as it pertains to the monitoring of serum plasma concentrations and its relationship to patient response. Also, advises providers how to individualize dosing of medications based on interpretation of these serum levels and evidence-based care. Serves as a drug information resource for other health care providers, answering inquiries regarding therapeutics, drug interactions, dosing, side effects, etc. Reviews medication regimens to ensure compliance and proper understanding of how and why medications are to be taken as prescribed. Applies knowledge of the medical facility treatment areas, TPN, and USP 797 and 800 practices and associated regulations. Provides proactive, ongoing communication related to the pharmacy programs under his/her clinical care to professional staff via Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee meetings, Medical Staff meetings, Pharmacy Staff meetings, and individualized meetings, as appropriate. Maintains competency in best practice, medication management, and other areas related to the clinical area of practice. Supports Chief of Pharmacy and Chief of Staff in aligning VA providers to support organizational stewardship. Remains up to date regarding technology, management practices, and clinical practice by reviewing relevant material in reputable journals and resources. Provides a framework for continual learning for pharmacy students, residents, and employees of all levels to ensure competence and improve performance. Promotes innovation and quality improvement within Pharmacy Programs under clinical care. Participates in the training of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and other medical center personnel, as required. Provides education and in-services to other medical providers on evidence-based medicine and best practices within the specialty area Work Schedule: Monday and Tuesday 9:30am to 6pm, Every other Wednesday 9:30am to 6pm Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
