Clinical Pharmacist

Veterans Health Administration • Saint Louis, MO

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist provides inpatient pharmaceutical services and outpatient prescription counseling and dispensing overnight at the Jefferson Barracks Division. The position handles medication-related activities and supports safe and effective medication therapy through order review, dispensing, patient counseling, and collaboration with clinical staff. It is a full-time overnight role scheduled for seven days on and seven days off. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual.

The pharmacist uses VistA and CPRS for order entry and completion; documents patient medication teaching and consults in the electronic health record; and maintains strict security of controlled substances. The role also includes providing drug information and education to healthcare personnel, patients, and their representatives, and serving as a preceptor or mentor for pharmacy student and resident rotations. This is a permanent federal position at the GS-12 full-performance level. Relocation and recruitment incentives, as well as permanent change of station, are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); qualifying foreign graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including the required FPGEE and TOEFL iBT results.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. A temporary entry-level Graduate Pharmacist appointment may be made under the stated exception; licensure is required above GS-11.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For the GS-12 grade, 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 healthcare staff.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to 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 be able to distinguish basic colors.
• Subject to background/security investigation and, if selected for a testing-designated position, pre-employment urinalysis; applicants who refuse testing will be denied employment.
• Must complete required onboarding and application documentation, provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements, and meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA healthcare personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• Previous VA inpatient or outpatient experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform inpatient pharmaceutical services and outpatient prescription counseling and dispensing services overnight.
• Handle routine medication-related activities in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Review, interpret, and verify medication orders for appropriateness; process and fill medication orders.
• Make recommendations to clinical staff regarding medication therapy to support safe and effective care.
• Accurately fill or check medication dispensing units, prescriptions, and aseptically prepared intravenous admixtures and other aseptically prepared pharmaceuticals.
• Use VistA and CPRS for order entry and completion.
• Document patient medication teaching sessions, consults, recommendations, and interventions in the electronic patient record.
• Maintain strict security of controlled substances by reviewing orders, issues, and receipts to prevent alterations, forgeries, and pilferage.
• Review patients’ medications, allergies, laboratory results, and other pertinent medical-record information to identify and resolve medication-related problems; contact providers as appropriate.
• Provide refill extensions and partial medication supplies; take health and medication histories; and perform medication reconciliation.
• Provide drug information and education to healthcare personnel, patients, and their representatives.
• Assist with formulary management, including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews, and medication-use evaluations.
• Document and assess adverse drug events and assist in medical emergencies.
• Provide oversight of technical staff in medication distribution.
• Act as a preceptor or mentor for pharmacy student and resident rotations.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other applicable factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; credit is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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