Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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
• 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/
• Licensure: Hold a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - or the District of Columbia
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting all the basic requirements - applicant must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-11 - and demonstrate the following 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
• Preferred Experience: Inpatient pharmacy experience - IV admixture - Omnicell - VA experience preferred References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55PART II APPENDIX G15 - LICENSED PHARMACIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position involves: Must be in overall good health
• The work requires standing - walking - moderate lifting and carrying of items
• The work also requires the use of fingers - the ability to read without strain (far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other) - and the ability to hear (aid permitted).

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Inpatient Section: Unit Dose Area Incumbent performs all duties associated with a pharmacist's professional services - (i.e. - receiving and interpreting physician's medication orders - correcting and clarifying these orders - offering professional judgment on the appropriateness of a particular order and/or alternate information or suggestions for therapy on a selective basis.) Facilitates the delivery of the correct drug in the correct dosage to the correct patient in order to be administered at the correct time and filling medication orders Interacts 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 Reviews the patient profile for therapeutic duplications and potential adverse drug actions Responsible for the supervision and monitoring of technician activities in this area
• These activities include - but are not limited to: Correct filling and dispensing of both STAT and scheduled doses from any or all of the inpatient areas (i.e. - unit dose - narcotic - IV - etc.) Adherence to established unit dose policies and procedures and procedures such as stop order policies - scheduled drug - PRN scheduling and one-time only drug changes in BCMA/Vista IV Admixture Section Responsible for facilitating preparation and delivery of all compounded intravenous fluids as ordered by the physician Requires the application of professional knowledge and judgment in interpretation and clarification of parenteral drug orders
• The compounding of IV admixtures requires a specialized body of knowledge involving compatibilities and stabilities of parenteral drugs in various solutions Knowledgeable in therapeutic application of the various products dispensed including parenteral drugs - intravenous solutions - hyperalimentation solutions - investigational drugs - oncology drugs and other items such as blood components and solution administration sets Responsible for adhering to USP 797 and 800 guidelines for compounding sterile products and hazardous products and the supervision and monitoring of technician activities in this area
• These activities include - but are not limited to: Electronic verification of the physician's IV orders to the BCMA record The preparation of IV admixtures utilizing aseptic technique Adherence to established IV additive policies and procedures such as Strict adherence to aseptic technique procedures Proper stop electronic order information for antibiotics through BCMA/Vista The preparation of IV additive labels in the proper format using the IV labeling and computer or other methods available The proper use of sterile transfer devices - (syringe needles - closed system transfer devices - pipettes - and other various sterilizing filters) The proper cleaning of the laminar flow hood - the proper maintenance of the laminar flow hood filters - personally perform IV sterility testing - and the record keeping of the above mentioned tasks Outpatient Area Performs all duties normally associated with the pharmacist's professional role in the outpatient environment dealing with the interpretation and clarification of the physician's prescriptions
• Must be able to apply VA - state and federal regulations - The Joint Commission - DEA - FDA - Medical Center and Pharmacy department policies as they apply to the prescription order Interpreting and filling of prescriptions - the pharmacist is expected to follow pharmacy policy as it pertains to dispensed quantities - prior authorization drugs - restricted drugs and appropriate auxiliary labels and patient medication information (PMI) sheets Handwritten prescriptions on VA form 10-2577F or electronically entered physician prescriptions - the pharmacist must contact the prescriber concerning any problem
• The pharmacist may document a pharmacy note if he/she deems necessary in order that the other pharmacy personnel may follow the prescribed procedure at another time Ensures that all VA Form 10-2577Fs are properly completed with the correct required information by the provider Work Schedule: Rotating shifts to include evenings - weekends - and holidays
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Monique.head@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more