Clinical Pharmacist - Outpatient

Veterans Health Administration • Albuquerque, NM

11h • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist performs routine outpatient medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. The role reviews, interprets, and verifies medication orders for appropriateness; processes and fills prescriptions; and makes recommendations to clinical staff to support safe and effective medication therapy. The pharmacist assesses patient therapies, identifies medication-related problems, supports medication reconciliation and discharge transitions, and educates veterans, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The position also performs outpatient dispensing, consult review, documentation, and quality-assurance activities. It reports directly to the Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor and requires minimal supervision. The full performance level is GS-12; selections may be made at GS-11 or GS-12.

Requirements

• Graduate from an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and/or Doctor of Pharmacy degree; foreign pharmacy graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including the required examinations.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and maintain current registration if required for licensure.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• For GS-12: have one year of experience equivalent to GS-11, or have completed an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• For GS-12: demonstrate knowledge of professional pharmacy practice; oral and written communication with patients and healthcare staff; laws, regulations, and accreditation standards governing drug distribution, controlled and non-controlled drugs, and pharmacy security; and monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic parameters.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment requirements, including drug testing if selected for a testing-designated position and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.
• Meet the physical demands of occasional walking, standing, bending, and moderate lifting up to 44 pounds; most work is performed seated.

Nice To Haves

• No preferred qualifications are specified.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics to monitor and assess patient therapies.
• Complete medication reconciliation at discharge from inpatient services and acute hospital care, and assist providers with medication-management challenges.
• Interview patients to obtain relevant medical and medication histories.
• Identify patient-specific medication issues, including appropriateness, interactions, efficacy, therapeutic duplication, adverse drug events, and adherence problems.
• Support veterans during discharge transitions by ensuring appropriate prescription refills and coordinating with providers to minimize therapeutic duplication.
• Make interventions to reduce drug-related problems and adverse drug events.
• Educate veterans and caregivers about proper medication use in collaboration with other staff.
• Document clinical activities, update problem lists, and update medication allergy information in the medical record in a timely manner.
• Maintain cooperative and effective interpersonal relationships with others.
• Evaluate medication regimens for drug-drug and drug-food interactions and adverse drug reactions.
• Precept and orient pharmacy students, residents, and other trainees.
• Provide written and verbal drug information to patients and healthcare professionals, including through in-services and discharge counseling.
• Participate in and attend staff-development presentations for Pharmacy Service personnel.
• Screen and evaluate medication orders for appropriateness and dispense outpatient medications, including controlled substances and investigational drugs, in accordance with pharmacy practice and standards.
• Use VISTA and CPRS to maintain patient medication records, complete orders, review laboratory results, and access other patient information relevant to prescription processing.
• Ensure dispensing complies with professional standards, regulations, laws, and hospital guidelines.
• Discontinue medications without physician co-signature only under the specified conditions: the patient no longer uses the medication, it is replaced, it offers no therapeutic benefit, or the patient is intolerant or experiencing adverse effects.
• Review assigned Non-Formulary consults and complete them within established timeframes.
• Provide reports, data collection, quality-assurance information, and medication-use evaluation information as requested.
• Verify that prescriptions and provider actions meet patient-specific eligibility criteria and comply with National Formulary and Non-Formulary procedures and applicable treatment algorithms.
• Document clinical interventions appropriately.
• Work with Technician Supervisors in overseeing Staff Technicians’ work.
• Interact courteously and compassionately with patients, visitors, staff, volunteers, and trainees; respond to service and information requests in a timely manner; and seek to improve patient and customer satisfaction.
• Work a rotating schedule that includes weekends, evenings, and holidays, although the schedule is mostly Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific benefits and eligibility depend on position type.
• Prior federal or military service may be credited toward annual leave accrual if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree