Clinical Pharmacist

Veterans Health Administration • East Orange, NJ

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist at the East Orange Veterans Administration Medical Center analyzes actual and potential medication-related problems and implements corrective actions to help ensure patients receive optimal drug therapy. The pharmacist promotes the safe and appropriate use of medications and rational drug therapy, applying professional pharmacy knowledge and standards to medication distribution and the management of controlled and non-controlled drugs.

The position includes clinical and dispensing responsibilities in inpatient and outpatient settings. The pharmacist reviews and verifies medication orders, evaluates patient-specific medication regimens, monitors treatment outcomes and adverse effects, provides medication counseling and drug information, and communicates recommendations to prescribers and other health care professionals. The role also includes medication reconciliation and histories, formulary support, oversight of technical staff, and maintaining drug stock and storage areas.

The position is based in an office/clinic setting and has a variable schedule with rotating shifts. Telework is ad hoc only; this is not a virtual position. The work is generally sedentary but also involves standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. The work environment may involve handling several tasks at once in stressful situations.

Requirements

• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and/or Doctor of Pharmacy degree, or qualifying foreign pharmacy education with FPGEC certification.
• Full, current, and unrestricted pharmacy license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration if required for licensure.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-12, meet either one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level 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 for 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.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation; selected applicants must complete onboarding and required identification documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and, if selected, serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Must complete all application requirements specified in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in acute care/internal medicine and outpatient settings.
• Residency or fellowship training in a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice may substitute for qualifying experience on a year-for-year basis, subject to the stated accreditation or comparability requirements.

Responsibilities

• Analyze actual and potential drug-related problems and implement corrective actions to support optimal drug therapy.
• Assess the appropriateness of drug therapy and individualize treatment based on patient-specific factors.
• Review, interpret, and verify medication orders for clinical appropriateness, including drug selection, dosage, route, amount, and interactions.
• Process, fill, and dispense medication orders in a timely manner, and ensure orders are entered into the electronic patient medical record.
• Review patient medications, allergies, laboratory results, and other medical-record information to identify and resolve medication-related problems, contacting providers as appropriate.
• Recommend appropriate drug selection based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles, monitor efficacy, side effects, and clinical outcomes, and advise prescribers.
• Conduct patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring, including prospective review of medication regimens, therapeutic duplication, administration, compliance, interactions, laboratory data, and relevant physical signs and symptoms.
• Document recommendations, interventions, medication histories, and adverse drug events; assess adverse drug events.
• Provide medication counseling, take health and medication histories, conduct medication reconciliation, and provide refill extensions or partial medication supplies.
• Provide current drug information to prescribers, health care professionals, patients, and caregivers.
• Participate in patient-care rounds and chart reviews; evaluate laboratory data and interactions; monitor adverse drug effects and screen for allergies.
• Assist with formulary management, including therapeutic substitutions, non-formulary reviews, and medication-use evaluations.
• Select, compound, and dispense a range of medications and preparations, including special formulations, narcotics, investigational drugs, and oncolytic agents, in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Manage controlled and non-controlled drugs and apply applicable medication distribution and pharmacy security standards.
• Maintain adequate drug stock and inspect drug storage areas.
• Provide oversight of technical staff in medication preparation and distribution.
• Assist in medical emergencies and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to employees and their families; specific benefits eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

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