Summary A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. The primary functions will be the review, interpretation, and verification of medication orders for appropriateness, patient medication profile review (allergies, drug interactions, labs, etc.), providing drug and policy information to patients and VHSO staff, and participation in educational programs. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but not limited to: a. Order Entry/Review Process/Drug Distribution (1) Accurately processes medication orders in a timely manner including correct patient, drug, dose, form, quantity, directions, route, and conformity to current policies and procedures. Accurately verifies and dispenses completed prescriptions to patients ensuring correct medication, patient identification, patient documentation, and signature or other documentation of dispensing. (2) Interacts with and makes recommendations to patients and medical center staff regarding policy matters and medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care. Provides and appropriately documents patient counseling. (3) When appropriate, fills outpatient prescriptions, refill extensions, partial medication supplies, inpatient medication orders and issues ward or clinic orders for drugs, supplies and narcotics in accordance with scopes of practice and current VHA, pharmacy, and hospital policy. Adheres to proper aseptic technique following USP 797/800 guidelines. Maintains proper records. b. Clinical (1) Assures the accuracy of drug dispensing and the compounding of medications based on patient history and medication reconciliation, good clinical practice, and other pertinent factors. This includes data entry into the computer, taking health and medication histories, screening orders for drug-drug and drug food interactions, dosing errors, allergies, physical assessment, interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters, documenting and assessing adverse drug events, incompatibilities, contraindications, duplication of therapy, and formulary availability. When appropriate, the provider is informed through oral and/or written means in order to resolve discrepancies. (2) Provides drug information to physicians, nurses and other associated health care professionals. Provides oral and written drug information to inpatients and outpatients, as appropriate. This may involve open training sessions/discussions with providers or patients, questions received via telephone or electronically. Demonstrates ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff and documents clinical interventions in patient record and other data collection tools as appropriate. (3) Participates quality assurance activities and the medical center's Medication Use Evaluation program. (4) Assists the Chief, Pharmacy Service in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews, and medication usage evaluations. Accurately processes Non-Formulary Consults as assigned in a timely manner with strict adherence to pharmacy guidelines and criteria for use. Gathers information supporting the inclusion of drugs into (or removal from) the formulary at the national level. (5) Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships by committee membership, active problem resolution skills, and close cooperation with other services. c. Education (1) Assists in the instruction and guidance for professional or technical level pharmacy students and assists in the training of new technicians and pharmacists. Completes mandatory training requirements in a timely manner. . (2) Reviews and corrects the work of pharmacy technicians, aids, and students. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8-hour shift between the hours of 7:30 am - 6:00 pm. Tour may be changed based on workload and needs of veteran care. Compressed/Flexible: not authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00043F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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: 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. Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the 2 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. 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. 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: Clinical Pharmacy, GS-12 Experience. In addition to the GS-11 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: none Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
