Clinical Pharmacist

Veterans Health Administration • Walla Walla, WA

19d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist provides medication therapy services in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network, and national policies and regulations. The role includes reviewing, interpreting, verifying, processing, and dispensing medication orders; monitoring therapy for safety and effectiveness; identifying and resolving medication-related problems; and collaborating with prescribers and interdisciplinary care teams. The pharmacist also counsels and educates patients, completes medication histories and reconciliations, provides drug information, supports formulary management, and documents clinical recommendations and interventions.

The position is full performance level GS-12, with selection possible at GS-11 or GS-12. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad-hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. An EDRP application must be submitted within four months of appointment; the program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must meet pharmacist education and licensure requirements, including graduation from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program and a full, current, unrestricted U.S. pharmacy license, subject to the stated exceptions. A Pharm.D. graduate or one year of experience equivalent to GS-11 is required for GS-12. The role requires proficiency in spoken and written English and the ability to communicate with patients and health care staff. Physical requirements include light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder level, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, and hearing (a hearing aid may be permitted).

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Graduation from an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a BS Pharmacy and/or Pharm.D. degree; foreign graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including the FPGEE and TOEFL iBT requirements.
• A full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated temporary appointment and grandfathering exceptions.
• For GS-12, either one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program; GS-11 has no additional experience or education requirements beyond the basic requirements.
• Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice and laws, regulations, and accreditation standards governing distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with patients and health care staff.
• Skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• Selected applicants must complete the required background/security investigation, onboarding, pre-employment physical examination, and required application documentation; testing-designated positions require pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A 1- or 2-year trial period is required, during which continued employment must be certified as advancing the public interest.
• Physical ability to perform light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder level, using fingers and both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, and hearing (a hearing aid may be permitted).

Responsibilities

• Optimize medication therapy using pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles and collaborate with prescribers on therapeutic decisions.
• Perform patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicate recommendations to providers verbally and in writing.
• Review medication regimens for appropriateness, duplication, interactions, contraindications, and clinical effectiveness.
• Provide comprehensive medication counseling and educate patients on proper medication use.
• Complete medication histories and medication reconciliation across transitions of care.
• Provide evidence-based drug information to prescribers, interdisciplinary staff, patients, and caregivers.
• Review charts, laboratory data, and clinical indicators to monitor drug efficacy, safety, and adherence.
• Dispense medications accurately and verify orders for correct drug selection, dose, route, and documentation.
• Resolve medication-related problems by communicating with providers and recommending alternative therapies when appropriate.
• Support outpatient prescription processing, unit-dose activities, and complex therapies in coordination with care teams.
• Complete Prior Authorization Drug Requests (PADRs) and recommend formulary alternatives when needed.
• Participate in quality assurance, medication use evaluation programs, adverse drug event reporting, and medication safety initiatives.
• Manage recalls, drug shortages, and therapeutic interchange processes in accordance with policy.
• Provide oversight and guidance to pharmacy technicians; precept pharmacy trainees and contribute to staff development.
• Maintain professional competency through continuing education, literature review, and adherence to pharmacy best practices.
• Document recommendations and interventions, assist with formulary management, and provide refill extensions and partial medication supplies as appropriate.
• Assist in medical emergencies and oversee technical staff in medication distribution.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for EDRP student loan payment reimbursement, subject to program requirements and approval; award may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package is available; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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