Pharmacist

Veterans Health Administration • Northport, NY

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Northport VA Medical Center is seeking a Clinical Pharmacist to manage routine medication-related activities in accordance with VHA, DEA, FDA, Joint Commission, VISN 2, Northport VAMC, and other governing regulations, standards, and policies. The pharmacist is responsible for pharmacy distribution and operations, formulary management, and medication safety, including reviewing and verifying medication orders to ensure appropriate and optimal drug therapy.

The position includes processing and dispensing inpatient and outpatient medications; reviewing patient records, medication histories, allergies, laboratory results, and other relevant information; identifying and addressing medication-related problems; and communicating recommendations to prescribers and clinical staff. The pharmacist also prepares IV admixtures, including chemotherapy, with appropriate precautions and aseptic techniques; oversees technical staff and medication distribution processes; maintains medication stock and storage areas; provides drug information and customer service; and participates in medication safety, formulary, committee, training, and emergency-response activities.

The position is at the GS-12 level. It requires a pharmacy degree from an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy (or qualifying foreign pharmacy education) and a full, current, unrestricted pharmacy license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. For GS-12 qualification, applicants must have one year of experience equivalent to GS-11 or an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. and meet the stated knowledge, skills, and abilities. Hospital experience, IV/chemotherapy compounding experience, and familiarity with USP 797 and 800 guidelines are preferred.

The work schedule includes rotating days, nights, weekends, and holidays. The position is not telework-eligible or virtual. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Graduate of 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.
• 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.
• For GS-12 qualification, one year of experience equivalent to GS-11, or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program and the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with patients and healthcare staff.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards concerning 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.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Satisfy pre-employment screening and conditions, including required testing, background/security investigation, onboarding, physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet the stated federal education-recognition requirements; foreign education used for qualification must be supported by the required foreign-equivalency documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Hospital experience.
• IV and chemotherapy compounding experience.
• Familiarity with USP 797 and USP 800 guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Review, interpret, and verify inpatient and outpatient medication orders, including controlled and non-controlled substances, for appropriate drug selection, dosage, route, and quantity before dispensing.
• Review patients’ medications, allergies, laboratory results, and other medical-record information to identify and resolve medication-related problems.
• Obtain patient health and medication histories and perform medication reconciliation.
• Process and dispense inpatient and outpatient medication orders as appropriate.
• Contact prescribers as appropriate and document recommendations and interventions.
• Provide refill extensions and partial medication supplies.
• Fill medications and prepare IV admixtures, including piggybacks, large-volume parenterals, and chemotherapy, in accordance with USP 797 and 800 and appropriate precautions and aseptic techniques.
• Ensure medications are correctly labeled and packaged in compliance with federal rules and regulations before dispensing.
• Interact with clinical staff and make recommendations regarding medication therapy to support safe and effective patient care.
• Provide drug information to medical staff and patients.
• Provide oversight of technical staff in medication distribution.
• Maintain adequate drug stock, inspect drug storage areas, supervise pre-packing, and oversee automated dispensing equipment.
• Notify a supervisor or designated person of actual or anticipated medication and supply shortages.
• Use computer systems and software to maintain reports and produce records; apply working knowledge of automated dispensing cabinets.
• Assist with formulary management, including therapeutic substitutions, non-formulary reviews, and medication-use evaluations.
• Document and assess adverse drug events.
• Assist in medical emergencies.
• Participate in Northport VAMC and VISN-level committees as assigned, representing Pharmacy Service.
• Train newly hired employees, students from affiliated schools, and pharmacy residents.
• Answer telephone calls, respond to inquiries, and provide timely customer service.
• Investigate drug recalls.
• Perform assigned CACHE activities and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for annual-leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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