A Clinical Pharmacist at the GS-11 level (Graduate Pharmacist) is a non-licensed pharmacist who has graduated from an accredited school of pharmacy and is waiting for the pharmacy license from the state board of pharmacy. A Licensed Clinical Pharmacist at the GS-12 level has knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics.
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: 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. EXCEPTION - Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level (GS-11) as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. S7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed two (2) years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grades GS-12 and above, the candidate MUST be licensed. Failure to become licensed within two (2) years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Licensed Pharmacists may qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard - GS-0660 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15) (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations for Pharmacist - GS-0660-11 Experience, Education, and Licensure. No post-educational experience, education, or licensure is required at the GS-11 level beyond the Basic Requirements. Assignments: Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity. Grade Determinations for Pharmacist - GS-0660-12 (Full Performance Level) Experience -OR- Education. In addition to the Basic Requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, -OR- 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; etc. (please see the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): Pharmacist assigned to this position must 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: A Florida Licensed Pharmacist is preferred to work within the State Nursing Home as needed. References: Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard - GS-0660 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15). 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 from GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving stating or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking. Additionally, occasional lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies may be required, and bending, stooping or stretching.
GS-11 - Clinical Pharmacist - Graduate Pharmacist A Clinical Pharmacist at the GS-11 level (Graduate Pharmacist) will have knowledge and proficiency in basic pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. The incumbent is responsible for routine medication-related activities in accordance to local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations under the oversite of the licensed clinical pharmacist. Duties may include, but are not limited to: Verifying medication orders involving the inpatient &outpatient settings as well as the Community Living Center and provider clinics. Responsible for checking the work of pharmacy technicians Provides patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicates relevant findings and/or recommendations to other health care providers in charge of the patient both orally and in writing. Monitoring will include prospective review and intervention in: Therapeutic appropriateness of a patient's drug regimen Therapeutic duplication in the patient's drug regimen Appropriateness of the route and method of administration Degree of patient compliance with the prescribed drug regimen Drug-drug, drug-food, drug-laboratory, or drug disease interactions Clinical and pharmacokinetic laboratory data to evaluate the efficacy of drug therapy and to anticipate side effects, toxicity, or adverse effects GS-12 - Clinical Pharmacist The Licensed Clinical Pharmacist at the GS-12 level is responsible for analyzing real and potential drug­ related medical problems and implementing corrective action to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy. The clinical pharmacist also applies standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs. The primary function of a clinical pharmacist is to assure the safe and appropriate use of medications and be an advocate of rational drug therapy through the following: evaluation of the appropriateness of drug therapy based on patient specific factors; individualization of drug therapy; evaluation, dispensing and providing medications, and drug information. The clinical pharmacist must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the duties of the position, including the necessary skills to provide care appropriate to the population of the patients served. Such knowledge and skills are identified in the Competency Assessment Checklist of the position and include knowledge and skills in the following areas: communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers; maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print; participation in and contribution to the medical center's performance improvement program; working and functioning in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment; and provision of population-specific care, as identified in the Population-Specific Competencies, including effectively communicating with patients who are 66 years and older and who may have hearing, physical or cognitive impairments. . . .. Duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicates relevant findings and/or recommendations to other health care providers in charge of the patient both orally and in writing. Monitoring will include prospective review and intervention in: Therapeutic appropriateness of a patient's drug regimen. Therapeutic duplication in the patient's drug regimen. Appropriateness of the route and method of administration. Degree of patient compliance with the prescribed drug regimen. Drug-drug, drug-food, drug-laboratory, or drug disease interactions. Clinical and pharmacokinetic laboratory data to evaluate the efficacy of drug therapy and to anticipate side effects, toxicity, or adverse effects. Physical signs and clinical symptoms relevant to the patient's drug therapy. Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy. Candidate will be a pharmacist backup in the infusion center and will be responsible for assisting in compounding hazardous (Ex Chemotherapy) and Non-hazardous medication. Candidate will be verifying medication orders and completing chemotherapy double checks for this setting. Candidate will also be a pharmacy backup in the State Nursing Home in Port St. Lucie Florida Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts (days, evenings, overnights, weekends, holidays) based on the needs of the Service Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD40177F and PD40955F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized