Summary The Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatient) will be assigned to centralized staffing duties within the Inpatient Pharmacy. The Clinical Pharmacist is responsible for provision of pharmaceutical care in the Inpatient Pharmacy setting - order review and verification, dispensing and distribution, inventory management, sterile and nonsterile compounding, hazardous and chemotherapy preparation, oversight of technicians, providing pharmacotherapeutics services. Responsibilities MEDICATION DISPENSING AND DISTRIBUTION: Performs inpatient electronic order assessment to verify patient information, correct medication dose, route, frequency, and duration of administration. Orders are also reviewed for allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and appropriateness of drug choice. Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues; provides pharmacotherapeutic analyses and medication reconciliation upon admission. Dispenses controlled substances for inpatients and outpatients with accuracy, per current policies and procedures of the institution. Conducts and evaluates medication histories; assesses compliance; and suggests pharmacotherapeutic modifications to achieve desired outcomes and provide appropriate pharmaceutical care. CLINICAL FUNCTIONS: Evaluates patients upon inpatient admission for medication reconciliation and appropriateness of pharmacologic therapy. Identifies any drug-related problems such as allergies, toxicities, adverse reactions, improper dose regimen, noncompliance, etc. Reviews patients on anticoagulation admitted on an inpatient medical floor. Discusses concerns with the prescribing physician regarding changes in therapy and lab value interpretation. Documents clinical recommendations in an anticoagulation note as necessary. Reviews chemotherapy orders/prior authorization drug requests for dosage, frequency, cycle, and appropriateness of therapy based on cancer type, laboratory values, and other monitoring parameters as indicated (in the absence of the primary oncology pharmacist). PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATIVE: Serves as an authoritative information source on pharmaceuticals and their utilization in therapy for hospital-wide councils and committees responsible for establishing and reviewing drug use policies. Designs, conducts, and participates in studies, audits, and evaluations concerning the utilization of drugs. Participates in the prior authorization drug request review process of the Medical Center and appropriately documents the evaluation of the prior authorization drug request. Assists in the implementation of therapeutic recommendations for selected disease states with VHA, JBVA, and/or other published clinical practice guidelines. EDUCATION: Serves as preceptor for Doctor of Pharmacy Students from the University of Illinois, College of Pharmacy and other educational institutions, when needed. Provides guidance and instruction pertaining to the practice of pharmacy and serves as a mentor. Serves as preceptor for Pharmacy Practice Residents (PGY-1, PGY-2), when needed. Provides guidance concerning the practice of pharmacy, educates on clinical issues, and serves as a mentor. Educates patients, family members, and caregivers regarding proper use and storage of medications. Collaborates with other healthcare providers and administrators to ensure compliance with currently established pharmacy and medical center policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Overnight 8:30pm - 7:30am, 7:30pm - 7:30am - Seven days on / seven days off rotating schedule Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 05155F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education: Graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/.(NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) OR, Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate is able to provide proof of achieving the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC) Certification, which includes passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination(FPGEE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT). Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. A pharmacist who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR, 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. AND, Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. 3. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. 4. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. GS-12 Assignment: A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. These include, but are not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. Preferred Experience: Three to five years of experience in Inpatient Pharmacy Hospital Setting to include sterile compounding, responding to medical emergencies, inpatient operations. Working 7 on/7 off overnight majority of the time working independently. (Work performed must be well documented and detailed in resume.) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: There may be some walking, standing, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.