Clinical Pharmacist

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent VA Nationwide employees, Federal employees of other Agencies, and VHA HPTs NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

The Clinical Pharmacist-Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) is responsible for managing and optimizing pharmacy-related software and automated systems, including outpatient prescription dispensing, e-Pharmacy, unit dose, IV admixture, controlled substance dispensing, physician order entry, Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), Automatic Medication Dispensing System (AMDS), inventory control, office automation, and Electronic Health Record (EHR) programming, National Comprehensive Infusion Library (NCIL), and menu/security key management, while ensuring compliance with Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General (OIG), and other regulatory requirements through close collaboration with Pharmacy Operations leadership.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for developing, supplying, and interpreting comprehensive computer-generated data on a regular basis to the Chief and Associate Chiefs for planning and evaluating pharmacy operations and for use in reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of Pharmacy Service programs.
• Develop and implement specialized Automated Data Processes (ADP) program training for all affected pharmacy personnel. Responsible for customizing the pharmacy ADP program software to reflect the characteristics of this Pharmacy Service. This involves creating and maintaining pharmacy database files such as the drug file and the orderable item file. It also involves setting the program site parameters to the characteristics of this pharmacy to provide the service maximum flexibility and benefit of the ADP software program.
• Use specialized pharmacy and ADP experience and knowledge, responsible for defining the ADP hardware requirements of each Pharmacy Service functional area in order to achieve the maximum benefit of the pharmacy ADP software package with the minimum adverse impact on operations.
• Responsible for pharmacy user management, which includes defining users, establishing user menus, and determining user access to ensure appropriate use and security of the Pharmacy Service and Medical Center ADP software programs and the comprehensive patient data base.
• Responsible for implementing Pharmacy Service ADP software programs in coordination with the affected pharmacy section supervisor and the Office of Information & Technology (OIT) service. This involves placement of terminals/ printers and other equipment, determination of a start date, development of a manual back-up system of operation during periods of computer "down time", software & hardware updates/upgrades, and cleaning and maintenance of AMDS.
• Serves as the Pharmacy Service liaison and works cooperatively with other services to explore, organize and implement interdisciplinary ADP programs and to assure the integrity and security of the Medical Center's integrated patient database.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm weekends, holidays, and hours outside of tour of duty; subject to change based on the needs of the facility
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 667-00315-F / 667-01072-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact desiree.jackson@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
• Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• 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. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.

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.

Exception: Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed.

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 for employment listed in above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (KSAs must be clearly reflected in the resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level).

GS-11 Pharmacist:
Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic 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. One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or
2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below in their application packet:
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.

Preferred Experience:

• ADPAC experience
• Computer System
• Informatics Processes

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS11 to GS12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Overton Brooks VA Medical Center employees including satellites;
2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees;
3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees;
4th Area of Consideration - current permanent Federal employees of other Agencies;
5th Area of Consideration - current/past Health Professional Trainees (HPTs)

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• CV Resume

Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee

In addition to your most recent SF-50, other examples of SF-50's to include in your application packet include:

• Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• CV Resume
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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