Summary

The Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist reviews drug therapy, consults with healthcare providers, prepares and dispenses medications, evaluates non-formulary requests based on VA criteria, suggests alternatives, and educates patients on proper medication use and dosage.

Duties

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Major duties include but are not limited to:

Administrative

- Resolve narcotic discrepancies and perform controlled substance inventories.

- Prepare ePIRs, adverse drug reaction reports, and assist with Quality Assurance data collection.

- Oversee and direct pharmacy technician workflow.

- Monitor non-formulary medication use and recommend alternatives.

- Assist in orientation, training, and performance feedback for new staff, students, technicians, and trainees.

- Supervise assigned pharmacy areas, including workflow, technicians, and students; manage routine operational issues.

- Collect, tabulate, and prepare administrative data and reports for pharmacy programs.

Clinical

- Use and maintain proficiency with VISTA, CPRS, CHCS, and automated pharmacy systems.

- Promote patient-focused, team-based pharmaceutical care and ensure optimal medication therapy.

- Review and verify medication orders for accuracy, appropriateness, interactions, allergies, and BCMA compliance.

- Assess medication profiles, resolve therapy discrepancies, and annotate medical records with verified recommendations.

- Provide drug information and in-service education to physicians, nurses, and pharmacy staff.

- Serve as liaison between pharmacy and patient care areas to clarify orders and resolve issues.

- Document clinical interventions impacting patient outcomes.

- Evaluate non-formulary consults according to VA criteria and suggest alternatives.

- Counsel patients when dispensing outpatient prescriptions during off-tours.

- Participate in drug use evaluation and quality assurance programs.

Dispensing/Distribution

- Organize and optimize workflow for accurate, efficient medication distribution.

- Apply cost-containment strategies during medication verification.

- Screen, profile, enter, and verify physician orders.

- Supervise technicians in preparing and dispensing medications, including IV preparations.

- Maintain accurate records and ensure adequate drug and supply levels.

- Ensure proper labeling, packaging, and compliance with federal and VHA/DEA regulations.

- Prepare IV solutions using aseptic technique.

- Participate in Code Blue responses (medication preparation, dose guidance, documentation).

- Dispense investigational drugs per protocol and maintain required records.

- Dispense controlled substances and outpatient prescriptions when needed.

- Investigate and resolve BCMA scanning issues.

- Perform accurate cart checks.

Education

- Train new pharmacy staff and participate in in-service programs.

- Serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students from affiliated schools.

Work Schedule: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, Rotating holidays and weekends.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: PD53885-F and PD51712-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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 identification 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

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: 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 [redacted]; phone: [redacted], 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.
  
  • Exception. Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. a7 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

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-11 Pharmacist

• Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic 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):
  
  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.

Preferred Experience:

1. 2 years Inpatient Pharmacy Experience
2. 1 year Compounded Sterile Products Experience
3. 1 year Outpatient Pharmacy Experience

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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8 hours); Standing (8 hours); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (4 hours); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Specific visual requirement (DVA Correctable to 20/40); Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted)

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: If your school was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACPE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois [redacted]; phone: [redacted], or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/.

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/.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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.

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.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.