Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatient)

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatient) handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. The role includes reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; and interacting with clinical staff to support safe and effective medication therapy. Pharmacists review patients’ medications, allergies, laboratory results, and other medical-record information to identify and resolve medication-related problems, contact providers, document recommendations and interventions, provide refill extensions and partial medication supplies, take health and medication histories, perform medication reconciliation, and provide drug information. The role also supports formulary management, adverse drug event assessment, medical emergencies, and technical staff oversight.

The pharmacist provides patient-specific drug therapy monitoring and counseling, evaluates treatment outcomes and potential adverse effects, and advises prescribers and other health care providers. Dispensing responsibilities include checking orders and patient profiles, maintaining drug stock and storage areas, supervising prepacking and automated dispensing equipment, overseeing pharmacy support staff, ensuring compliant labeling and packaging, and compounding medications under USP 795, USP 797, and USP 800 standards and applicable policies.

This is a permanent, inpatient position with a 7:00 PM–7:00 AM schedule on a 7-on/7-off rotation. Weekend and holiday work is required, and other shifts may be assigned by the service. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level and selection grade are GS-12. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized.

Applicants must meet the pharmacist education and licensure requirements, including graduation from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program or qualifying foreign pharmacy education, and a full, current, unrestricted U.S. jurisdiction pharmacy license. Candidates must also meet the stated grade determination through one year of experience equivalent to GS-11 or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, background/security screening, a pre-employment physical, and other federal hiring conditions apply.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Graduation from an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a BS in Pharmacy and/or Pharm.D.; qualifying foreign graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including FPGEE and TOEFL iBT requirements.
• Full, current, unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration when required for licensure.
• Meet one of the grade-determination pathways: one year of experience equivalent to GS-11, or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with patients and health care staff.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards governing distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.
• Skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• Pass required background/security investigation and pre-employment physical examination; selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification.
• Submit a transcript if relying on education to meet qualification requirements; foreign education must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Comply with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program for Health Care Personnel.
• Schedule includes 7:00 PM–7:00 AM, 7 days on/7 days off; weekends and holidays are required, and other shifts may be assigned.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of inpatient pharmacy experience.
• Familiarity with Pyxis, Parata packager, BD IV Prep, and BD Logistics software.

Responsibilities

• Select appropriate drug therapy using pharmaceutical principles, monitor efficacy, side effects, and clinical outcomes, and advise prescribers.
• Conduct patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicate findings and recommendations orally and in writing to health care providers.
• Review drug regimens for therapeutic appropriateness, duplication, route and method of administration, patient compliance, interactions, relevant laboratory data, and clinical signs or symptoms.
• Continuously evaluate prescribed medications to support optimal drug therapy.
• Provide medication counseling to patients and obtain health and medication histories through patient interviews.
• Provide current drug information to prescribers, health care professionals, patients, and caregivers.
• Review medication orders for drug selection, dosage, route, amount, and appropriateness before dispensing.
• Enter medication orders into the electronic patient medical record; process, check, and fill orders in a timely manner.
• Review allergy histories, medication profiles, and potential interactions; assess clinical relevance and resolve problems, compliance concerns, or potential abuse.
• Maintain adequate drug stock, inspect storage areas, supervise prepacking, and oversee automated dispensing equipment.
• Supervise and provide oversight to pharmacy technicians, support personnel, and technical staff involved in medication distribution.
• Ensure medications are correctly labeled and packaged in compliance with federal requirements.
• Compound medications in accordance with USP 795, USP 797, USP 800, and applicable local policies and procedures; ensure controlled-environment requirements are followed.
• Represent pharmacy and contribute clinical and administrative expertise on committees within the assigned area.
• Maintain security of pharmacy areas and immediately report inconsistencies to management.
• Supervise workflow and direct pharmacy technicians as needed.
• Assist with formulary management, therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews, medication usage evaluations, adverse drug event assessment, medication reconciliation, and medical emergencies.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package; benefits eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may qualify to receive credit toward annual leave accrual for prior federal work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level