Clinical Pharmacist

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

19d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacist is a licensed health care professional responsible for the safe, effective, and appropriate use of medications across the continuum of care. The position applies professional knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapy, and medication use systems to optimize medication-related outcomes and support high-quality patient care.

The pharmacist provides clinical and operational pharmacy services across inpatient/residential, outpatient, and central pharmacy operations. They assess medication safety and efficacy, conduct medication reconciliation and counseling, review and dispense medication orders, provide drug information, and support medication distribution and quality-assurance activities. The role also includes coverage for core pharmacy functions during staffing shortages, absences, or elevated workload.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate from an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a BS Pharmacy and/or Pharm.D. degree, or meet the stated foreign pharmacy graduate education requirements, including FPGEC certification.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration if required for licensure.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• For GS-12, have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
• Demonstrate knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.
• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills with patients and health care staff.
• Demonstrate knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.
• Demonstrate skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including urinalysis for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, online onboarding, pre-employment physical examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.
• Meet physical requirements established by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Select appropriate drug therapy using pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitor efficacy, side effects, and clinical outcomes; and advise prescribers.
• Perform patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicate findings and recommendations orally and in writing to other health care providers.
• Prospectively review medication regimens for therapeutic appropriateness, duplication, route and method of administration, patient compliance, interactions, relevant clinical and pharmacokinetic laboratory data, and physical signs and symptoms.
• Continuously evaluate prescribed medications to ensure optimal therapy and provide pharmacokinetic consultation in accordance with local policy.
• Assess drug safety and efficacy, including evaluation of physical symptoms.
• Perform medication reconciliation during transitions of care and update medication profiles to accurately reflect active VA and non-VA medications.
• Complete medication histories, including patient interviews, and provide medication counseling to patients.
• Review medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route, and quantity before dispensing, and ensure orders are entered into the electronic patient medical record.
• Fill orders promptly; review allergy history and relevant drug interactions; and resolve clinically relevant issues.
• Review medication profiles and monitor for compliance or potential abuse; resolve problems encountered.
• Select, dispense, and fill medications in inpatient and outpatient areas according to facility policies and quality-assurance procedures.
• Maintain adequate drug stock, inspect drug storage areas, and supervise prepacking and automated dispensing equipment operations.
• Manage recalls and medication shortages by substituting alternate dosage strengths and directions when appropriate, and enter supply orders for patient care according to facility policy.
• Provide current drug information to prescribers, health care professionals, patients, and caregivers.
• Report adverse drug events, near misses/good catches, and medication errors in alignment with the VA ADERS reporting program.
• Participate in the medical center medication utilization evaluation program.
• Recommend formulary alternatives and complete assigned non-formulary consults.
• Provide assigned coverage for inpatient/residential, outpatient, and central pharmacy operations to maintain medication distribution and clinical services.
• Serve as an operational backstop for core pharmacy functions during staffing shortages, planned or unplanned absences, or elevated workload.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to the employee and family; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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