Clinical Pharmacist (Outpatient)

Veterans Health Administration • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Pharmacist and Clinical Pharmacist (Outpatient) assure the safe and appropriate use of drugs and advocate rational drug therapy through patient-specific evaluation and individualization of drug therapy, medication evaluation and dispensing, and provision of medications and drug information. The vacancy may be filled at GS-11 or GS-12; GS-12 is the full-performance level. GS-11 pharmacists serve in a developmental capacity, while GS-12 pharmacists handle routine medication-related activities under local, VISN, and national policies and regulations.

The position includes reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders; processing and filling prescriptions; identifying medication-related problems using patient records, allergies, laboratory results, and other pertinent information; and making recommendations to prescribers and other clinical staff. The pharmacist provides drug information, documents interventions and adverse drug events, supports formulary management and medication-use evaluations, and provides oversight of technical staff. Dispensing duties include maintaining drug stock and storage areas, supervising prepacking and automated dispensing equipment, and selecting, compounding, dispensing, and filling medications, including special formulations and extemporaneous preparations.

The work schedule rotates among weekday shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with weekend and holiday shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available and the position is not virtual. Physical requirements may include walking, standing, sitting, bending, and carrying light items.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and/or Doctor of Pharmacy degree, or a foreign pharmacy graduate with FPGEC certification, including the FPGEE and TOEFL iBT.
• Full, current, and unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; GS-12 candidates must be licensed. A limited temporary licensure exception may apply to eligible entry-level graduate pharmacists under supervision.
• For GS-12, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program; qualifying accredited residency or fellowship training may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• For GS-12, 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 for drug distribution, control, and pharmacy security; and skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic parameters.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and applicable background/security investigation; selected applicants are subject to drug testing and required onboarding procedures.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated federal employment conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of a PGY1 residency.
• Experience in an outpatient pharmacy or community pharmacy retail setting.

Responsibilities

• Select appropriate drug therapy based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles; monitor efficacy, side effects, and clinical outcomes; and advise prescribers as appropriate.
• Provide current drug information to prescribers and other health care professionals.
• Review patient charts and pertinent laboratory data; assess drug-drug, drug-nutrient, drug-laboratory, and drug-disease interactions; monitor for adverse drug effects; and screen for allergies.
• Report and document adverse drug events, medication events, and clinical interventions as appropriate.
• Review physician medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route, and quantity before dispensing.
• Process, select, compound, dispense, and fill medications, including extemporaneous preparations and special formulations, following applicable quality assurance procedures.
• Maintain adequate drug stock and inspect drug storage areas.
• Supervise prepacking, automated dispensing equipment, and support or technical personnel involved in medication distribution.
• Participate in patient care rounds and drug utilization evaluation activities, including data collection and outcome evaluation.
• Support formulary management, therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews, medication usage evaluations, refill extensions, and partial medication supplies.
• Take health and medication histories and perform medication reconciliation.
• Assist in medical emergencies.
• Prepare special reports and projects, including work in patient care areas or interaction with other health care professionals.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and safeguard information security, including limiting access to sensitive information to employees who need it for their duties.
• Follow medical center and department policies and regulations, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits and eligibility depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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