A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations and specialize in reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care in oncology/chemotherapy care for the facility. 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. 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/. (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.(1) 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. § 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). GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Grade Requirement: Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: One (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): Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. Preferred Experience: 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. Outpatient pharmacy experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 PART II, APPENDIX G15. LICENSED PHARMACIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-660. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Standing (6 hours); Repeated bending (1 hours); 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; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental and Emotional Stability. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to: Clinical: Performs patient medication profile reviews upon entering orders and utilizes knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics to evaluate orders for appropriateness. Ensures appropriate laboratory monitoring of drug therapy and provides pharmacokinetic services. Follows guidelines, protocols, and policies in performing these services. Along with using prudent clinical judgment, the incumbent utilizes available resources including laboratory and other diagnostic data to communicate questionable therapy, non- formulary therapy or therapy outside of established criteria to prescribers and offers reasonable alternatives, responding to requests in a timely manner. Provides medication and disease state management information and participates in other educational endeavors including patient and family education and medical/nursing staff education. Drug Dispensing Enters, processes, and/or edits new prescription orders from providers accurately. Processes refills, partials, renewal prescription requests timely. Accurately dispenses prescriptions, medication orders, and supplies. Fills prescriptions by selecting the correct drug and dosage form, reducing the drug from bulk to the quantity prescribed, compounding, when necessary, then packaging and labeling the drug in an appropriate manner. Exercises care in the dispensing of drugs, especially controlled substances, investigational and cytotoxic drugs, to assure that legal and agency regulations and instructions are followed, that proper and complete recordkeeping is maintained, and that the drug storage areas are stocked, safe, and secure. Reviews the patient medication profile prior to dispensing drugs and medications. Administrative/Supervisory The incumbent is knowledgeable of, adheres to and applies established policies and procedures during the performance of duties. This includes knowledge and support of the facility's EEO programs and OWCP procedures concerning work related injuries and or illnesses. In the performance of official duties, the incumbent has regular access to sensitive data which is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. The employee is responsible for protecting the data from unauthorized release, loss, alteration or deletion. Incumbent is responsible for supervising the organization of workflow and finished products prepared by Pharmacy Technicians. Incumbent provides administrative consultations to patients and other CTVHCS employees concerning pharmacy policies, and regulations to resolve problems and or concerns in a caring, professional manner. Incumbent practices a multidisciplinary team approach to solving problems and assumes the responsibility for solving problems to his/her best ability during the tour of duty. Oncology/Chemotherapy Manages patients according to approved protocols, procedures, or processes. Reviews and develops medication protocols for the Oncology department. Orders lab tests to assist with monitoring of oncology patients. Services as an interdisciplinary team member for the oncology programs. Works with the Temple Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor and the Pharmacy Program Manager for Compounding Compliance to ensure the oncology IV area meets all requirements and regulatory standards. Work Schedule: Mon - Fri (7:30 am - 4:00 pm) Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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) Functional Statement #: 00000 Total Reward/Benefits: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.