Clinical Pharmacist - Outpatient

Veterans Health Administration • Iowa City, IA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Outpatient Clinical Pharmacist serves primarily in the outpatient pharmacy and provides professional pharmacy services to outpatient primary care clinics, specialty clinics, and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. The pharmacist interprets, evaluates, and approves medication orders; monitors drug therapy and laboratory results; reviews health record data; dispenses medications; provides drug information to healthcare professionals; and counsels patients on medication use and storage. The pharmacist reconciles medications, resolves routine problems, and communicates findings and recommendations to other healthcare professionals. A limited scope of practice with prescriptive authority may be granted.

The pharmacist may participate in medication management and prior authorization, pharmacy informatics, performance improvement, medication use evaluations, and quality control. The role includes precepting pharmacy students and residents and supporting staff development through education, orientation, and training. The pharmacist also maintains professional competency and completes required VA education and training.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-12; selection may be at GS-11 or GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy, or qualifying foreign pharmacy education with FPGEC certification, including the required examinations.
• A full, current, and unrestricted pharmacy license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. A qualifying graduate pharmacist may receive a temporary appointment under the stated VA exception; licensure is required above GS-11.
• For GS-12, either one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• For GS-12, demonstrated knowledge of professional pharmacy practice; oral and written communication skills with patients and healthcare staff; knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards concerning drug distribution, controlled and non-controlled drugs, and pharmacy security; and skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic parameters.
• Meet applicable background/security, pre-employment screening, identification, and physical-examination requirements; complete onboarding and required application documentation.
• Comply with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated employment evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Provide courteous, respectful, timely service to Veterans, staff, and visitors, and contribute to team productivity and service quality.
• Provide medication management within assigned practice areas and scope of practice.
• Design, implement, document, monitor, and adjust therapeutic drug plans through direct interaction with patients and providers.
• Order, perform, review, and analyze laboratory tests and diagnostic studies needed to monitor drug therapy.
• Review, interpret, evaluate, and approve medication orders and regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, administration route, side effects, interactions, monitoring, and outcomes.
• Communicate findings to prescribers and recommend appropriate alternatives to treatment plans.
• Monitor and report medication errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues; document findings according to facility procedures.
• Evaluate laboratory values and their clinical significance, and recommend therapeutic adjustments based on objective findings.
• Maintain competency in medication compounding, including preparation, stability, handling, beyond-use dating, and disposal.
• Maintain competence in outpatient pharmacy operations, including electronic medical records, automation, labeling, packaging, dispensing, shipping, documentation, controlled-substance accountability, inventory management, and CMOP procedures.
• Supervise pharmacy technicians and students performing operational functions.
• Prioritize work and communicate priorities to pharmacy staff to ensure timely workload completion and accurate dispensing and shipping.
• Keep current on medications, pharmacotherapy guidelines, and developments in pharmacy practice, and incorporate relevant information into practice.
• Complete VA-mandated education and training programs in a timely manner.
• Precept pharmacy students and pharmacy residents, and assist with pharmacist and technician education, orientation, and training.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on the position and employment status.

What This Job Offers

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