Clinical Pharmacist

Veterans Health Administration • Kings, NY

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist is a licensed professional who applies pharmacy practice knowledge, including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics, to identify and address actual or potential medication-related problems and ensure safe, appropriate, and effective drug therapy. The pharmacist handles routine medication-related activities under applicable local, state, federal, VISN, and national policies, and supports the distribution and management of controlled and non-controlled medications. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and application requirements. EDRP approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA program office; former EDRP participants are ineligible.

The pharmacist evaluates and individualizes medication therapy, monitors effectiveness and safety, dispenses medications, counsels patients, and provides drug information to patients, caregivers, prescribers, and other healthcare professionals. The role includes reviewing and processing medication orders, medication histories and reconciliation, patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring, formulary support, adverse drug event assessment, and clinical collaboration with providers and other staff. The pharmacist also oversees technical staff involved in medication preparation and distribution and performs additional duties as assigned.

This is a part-time position with variable hours, compensated for hours actually worked. It is not a virtual position. The work is performed in an office or clinic setting and includes sedentary work as well as standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. The environment has minimal risks, normal safety precautions, and adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation; the work may involve handling multiple tasks in stressful situations.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Graduation from 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, including the required examinations.
• A full, current, and unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration if required for licensure.
• For GS-12, 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 governing the 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.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if selected for a testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis for illegal drug screening.
• Complete the required background/security investigation and online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.
• Meet the application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Responsibilities

• Assess the appropriateness of medication therapy and individualize drug therapy based on patient-specific factors.
• Review, interpret, and verify medication orders for appropriateness, including drug selection, dosage, route, and quantity.
• Process and fill medication orders, enter orders into the electronic patient medical record, and dispense medications in a timely manner.
• Review patient medications, allergies, laboratory results, and other medical-record information to identify and address medication-related problems, contacting providers as appropriate.
• Monitor drug therapy for efficacy, side effects, clinical outcomes, toxicities, and adverse effects, and advise prescribers as appropriate.
• Conduct patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicate relevant findings and recommendations orally and in writing to other healthcare providers.
• Review medication regimens for therapeutic duplication, administration route and method, adherence, and drug-drug, drug-food, drug-laboratory, and drug-disease interactions.
• Provide medication counseling, take health and medication histories, complete medication histories through patient interviews, and perform medication reconciliation.
• Provide current drug information to prescribers, healthcare 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.
• Provide refill extensions and partial medication supplies.
• Assist with formulary management, including therapeutic substitutions, non-formulary reviews, and medication-use evaluations.
• Document recommendations and interventions and document and assess adverse drug events.
• Assist in medical emergencies.
• Select, compound, and dispense a range of drugs and preparations, including extemporaneous preparations, special formulations, narcotics, investigational drugs, and oncolytic agents, in outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Maintain adequate drug stock and inspect drug storage areas.
• Provide oversight of technical staff in medication preparation and distribution.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligible applicants may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to program approval and eligibility requirements.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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