Clinical Pharmacist

Veterans Health Administration • Lincoln, NE

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care in an assigned Ambulatory Care, Acute Care, or Community Living Center (CLC) setting. The role includes reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling orders; and advising clinical staff on medication therapy to support safe, effective patient care. The pharmacist practices independently in accordance with Pharmacy Service policies and procedures, VA regulations, and applicable state and federal laws, while working as part of a multidisciplinary care team.

The position combines pharmacy operations and clinical care. It includes maintaining timely and accurate dispensing and records, overseeing technical and nonprofessional staff, managing pharmacy equipment and automation, and supporting regulatory compliance and quality improvement. The pharmacist also monitors and manages medication therapy for assigned patients, assesses treatment, makes and documents therapeutic recommendations, provides medication reconciliation and counseling, and contributes to patient safety, formulary adherence, and cost-effective care. Under appropriate physician supervision, the pharmacist may direct therapy and order laboratory tests and medications for patient monitoring.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, with one of the following schedules: 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The full performance level and grade for the vacancy is GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy 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.; foreign pharmacy graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including the FPGEE and TOEFL iBT requirements.
• A full, current, and unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, with current registration if required to maintain licensure.
• For GS-12, in addition to the basic requirements, either one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and applicable background/security investigation; applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis screening.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
• Must complete the required online onboarding and application documentation; a transcript must be submitted with the application.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Practice pharmacy in accordance with Pharmacy Service policies and procedures, VA regulations, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Work with Clinical Pharmacists, Clinical Pharmacy Specialists, and other health care professionals in a team-based approach to pharmaceutical care.
• Maintain timely pharmacy workflows, accurate dispensing and record keeping, and oversee technical and nonprofessional staff in the assigned pharmacy setting.
• Organize workload, resolve problems, and achieve established goals.
• Participate in quality improvement activities, pharmacoeconomic initiatives, committees, and workgroups supporting the pharmacy service strategic plan.
• Provide patient care using in-depth knowledge of ambulatory care, acute care, and/or CLC pharmacy practice.
• Oversee day-to-day maintenance and operation of pharmacy equipment and automation, including ScriptPro, Pyxis, Parata, and BD Cato.
• Assist in ensuring pharmacy programs meet regulatory and accrediting-body requirements.
• Review medication orders for patient information, dose, route, frequency, allergies, interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and priority.
• Resolve prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutic and formulary issues, and document interventions as needed.
• Enter and verify information and orders in computer systems and dispense outpatient, unit-dose, and IV admixture medications according to dosage-form requirements.
• Identify actual and potential drug-related problems prospectively to reduce duplication and medication errors and support patient satisfaction.
• Dispense controlled substances according to applicable DEA, FDA, VA, and Joint Commission policies, procedures, and standards.
• Use VistA, CPRS, BCMA, automated pharmacy equipment, and pharmacy software systems.
• Provide and support clinical pharmacy services and pharmacoeconomic activities; monitor and manage medication therapy for assigned patients.
• Participate in innovative ambulatory care, acute care, or CLC pharmacy activities and multidisciplinary, patient-centered care.
• Evaluate pharmacologic therapy during clinic visits, hospitalizations, and changes in level of care.
• Make therapeutic recommendations and monitoring plans, and document activities in electronic progress notes.
• Provide drug information and assess patient responses to therapy; recommend treatment alternatives or interventions based on therapy choice, safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics.
• Perform medication reconciliation and counsel patients on their medications, proper use, expected outcomes, refills, and prescription processing; verify and document patient understanding.
• Under appropriate physician supervision, direct therapy and order laboratory tests and medications for appropriate patient monitoring.
• Report actual or potential medication errors and adverse events, and participate in patient-safety quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in the VA Adverse Drug Reaction reporting program (VA ADERS).
• Support budget execution by working with and educating providers on formulary adherence and cost-effective drug therapy.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees and their families.
• Selected applicants may request credit for prior federal or military service toward annual leave accrual; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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