Summary The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To provide pharmaceutical care to all patients receiving care at the VA North Texas Health Care System (primarily in the inpatient setting), including, but not limited to, interpretation and verification of physicians orders, patient profile review of orders orders. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Inpatient Pharmacy Section under the Office of the Associate Chief, Pharmacy Operations (Inpatient); Pharmacy Service. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws Duties include but are not limited to: Pharmaceutical Care: Organizes daily workload to assure optimum, accurate and efficient completion of all medication orders, inpatient, discharge, and outpatient in assigned areas. He/she will provide quality control checks and analysis of automated dispensing equipment as assigned; fill and issue ward or clinic orders for drugs, supplies, and controlled substances as necessary, and will maintain records accurately. Provides appropriate selection of drug therapy based upon pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics monitoring for efficacy, side effects, expected and actual clinical outcomes, and advise prescribers, nurses and other associated healthcare professionals based on these principles. Provides patient-specific therapeutic monitoring and communicate relevant findings and/or recommendations to other health care providers involved in the patient's care both orally and in writing. Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimization of drug regimen. Administrative: Completes all required training designated by the medical center and pharmacy service by the assigned due dates. Maintains security of the pharmacy and inventory per policy and regulation. He/she will maintain security compliance by ensuring non-staff members are escorted within the pharmacy. Safeguards protected health information in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy. Maintains a safe and clean work environment, free of any risk to safety or fire hazards. In addition, he/she will observe all established safety practices related to personal protective equipment and clothing. Sterile Compounding: These functions will be supported assisting as needed or in the absence of the sterile compounding technician (i.e., after hours, weekends, and leave). Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or other as required. Competence is demonstrated by utilizing correct application of aseptic technique standards to maintain sterile equipment, sterile working environment, and preparation of sterile products utilizing sterile technique in actual work performance. Adheres to USP 797/800 Guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparations, including ophthalmic, cardioplegic, TPN, hazardous, large & small volume IV solutions, PCAs, etc. Controlled Substances Activities: These functions will be supported as needed or in the absence of the controlled substances technician (i.e., after hours, weekends, and leave). Document all controlled substance-related transactions in line with VA and DEA guidelines, ensuring accurate inventory counts during restocking. Always safeguard controlled substances, ensuring they are never left unsecured. Report and assist in resolving discrepancies and comply with all regulations Appropriately restocks controlled substances items in automated secured cabinets (i.e., Omnicell) in pharmacy or throughout medical center, as assigned. Education: Seeks and implement creative improvements in products or services; apply out-of-the box thinking; challenge current practices in a professional manner when they hinder goals or strategic objectives. Participates in the education and training of all new employees in the department, pharmacy students, pharmacy practice residents, and pharmacy technicians. In addition, he/she will provide educational in-services to nursing staff, pharmacy staff, and other professional groups and contribute to the educational mission of the Medical Center and the Pharmacy Service. Provides direction and oversight for technicians working in their area, collaborating with the technician supervisors to ensure timely completion of assigned tasks and adherence to policies. Communication: Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships and rapport with Facility Providers, Nursing and other departments as needed. Serves as a source to resolve questions and problems affecting hospital staff members and patients. Expected to communicate in a manner that affords internal and external customers the ability to experience positive exchange and outcomes. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00 am - 4:30 pm (8 hour work schedule) with rotating weekends and holiday coverage being required. Tour may be adjusted or extended to meet patient care needs. . Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53163-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Health Professional Trainee's: HPTs who have successfully completed or are expected to successfully complete an affiliate sponsored or VA Sponsored training program may be considered based on completing the requirements listed below by the date of appointment. Please ensure you provide all supporting documentation regarding your training program and expected completion. ***HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment. Basic Requirements: Citizenship United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education (1) 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.) (2) 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 of38 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. (2) Failure to Obtain License. In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment. 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. Assignment. Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist GS-12 Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. Assignment: A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. These include, but are not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting 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; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. Pharmacists assigned to the GS-12 position must demonstrate the following 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: 2 years of hospital pharmacy experience within last 5 years 1 year of VA inpatient hospital experience within last 2 years IV/chemo training or experience within the last 5 years References: VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15 Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11 or GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15 - 44 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15 - 44 lbs); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (up to 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); 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; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid 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 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.