Summary
The Clinical Pharmacist's primary functions will be the interpretation and verification of physician's orders, patient medication profile review (allergy, drug interaction screens, etc.) providing drug and policy information to patients and medical center staff. The pharmacist also applies standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs. The incumbent will report to the Pharmacy Service at the Lee County Healthcare Center, Cape Coral, FL.
Duties
The Clinical Pharmacist carries out the following duties and responsibilities subsequent to establishment of a working diagnosis and initial treatment plan by the patient's provider(s) and in accordance with accepted standards of practice or the pharmacological management guidelines established by the Medical Advisory Panel (MAP):
Duties may include but are not limited to:
(PLEASE NOTE: Duties with an asterisk * following the bullet denotes responsibilities at the GS-12 - full performance level)
Clinical
- When finishing outpatient prescriptions and/or inpatient medication orders, reviews available medication profiles for appropriateness of therapy, contraindications to drug use, therapeutic duplication, allergies, adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, evidence of drug use/misuse/abuse, compliance, and formulary adherence.
- * Manages various actions, as appropriate, for medication orders to include: flagging prescriptions, managing view alerts, using the "hold medication" function, and generating unsigned discontinued orders using Service Reject.
- When appropriate adjusts medications by discontinuing and/or generating new/renewed prescriptions for items other than Controlled Substances with the verbal or written approval of a physician or authorized prescriber.
- * Adjustments are made based on review of patients' physical signs and symptoms and any relevant clinical and/or pharmacokinetic data available.
- Provides pharmacokinetic consultation, including dosing vancomycin and aminoglycosides, in
- accordance with local policy.
- Completes medication histories including patient interviews.
- Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA ADERS
reporting program.
- Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUEprogram).
- Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care per facility policy.
- Extends refills until next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per facility policy.
- Serves as a role model and preceptor to pharmacy students and residents.
- The pharmacist is responsible for maintaining his/her professional competency by keeping
abreast of current medical and pharmaceutical literature, new drugs and therapies, and applies this
knowledge in his/her daily duties.
Education
- Educates patients on the purpose, proper use, and expected outcomes of prescribed medications.
Uses suitable oral, written or audiovisual communication techniques, and verifies through direct
feedback, the patient's and/or caregiver's understanding of information presented.
- Provides both written and oral drug information to physicians, nurses and other associated
healthcare professionals.
- Acts as clinical institutional instructor for professional or technical level pharmacy students
and assists in the training of new technicians and pharmacists.
- Provides in-services to pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals when required.
- Participates in or attends continuing educational programs.
- Ensures that all facility mandatory training (e.g., fire and safety, prevention of sexual harassment, customer service and prevention of violence in the workplace are accomplished within established timetables and properly documents in service training files.
Administrative and Supervisory
- Pharmacy Service Policy and Procedures, VA Regulation and state and federal Pharmacy laws will
serve as operational guidance.
- Performs any duties and or special projects deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service.
- * Responsible for the daily operation status of the various aspects of the pharmacy programs. Prioritizes work and makes administrative decisions when supervisory pharmacists are not available, or in instances where immediate decisions are required.
- * Supervises technical support staff as needed.
Distribution
- Responsible for the safe and appropriate distribution or dispensing of medications.
- Ensures that all Pharmacy Service and other regulatory policies are compliant with in regards to medication labeling, inventory management, formulary management, PBM initiative, equipment maintenance and timeliness of service.
- Provides supervision of Pharmacy support staff in the conduct of distributive functions.
- Consults with patients and healthcare system staff whenever there is a question concerning therapeutic or policy matters regarding outpatient and/or inpatient providers orders.
Work Schedule: Will be required to work variable tours of duty including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD20222F and PD21887F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. 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 dentification 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).
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:
- Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
- Education-Transcripts Submitted::
- (1) 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.)
- (2) 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-Documentation Submitted: 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.
- NOTE- Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.
- EXCEPTION - Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level (GS-11) as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. S7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed two (2) years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grades GS-12 and above, the candidate MUST be licensed. Failure to become licensed within two (2) years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment.
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).
Grandfathering Provision. See "Additional Information" in this announcement for specific information regarding the Grandfathering Provision.
GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
Grade Determinations for Pharmacist - GS-0660-11
- Experience, Education, and Licensure. No post-educational experience, education, or licensure is required at the GS-11 level beyond the Basic Requirements.
- Assignments: Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity.
Grade Determinations for Pharmacist - GS-0660-12 (Full Performance Level)
- Experience -OR- Education. In addition to the Basic Requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:
- One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, -OR-
- Completion of an ACPE-Accredited Pharm.D. program.
- 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; etc. (please see the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information).
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): Pharmacist assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff.
- Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.
- Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
Preferred Experience:
- A minimum of one (1) year of experience working in a VA outpatient pharmacy setting as a licensed pharmacist.
- A minimum of one (1) year of experience processing VA Community Care Prescriptions and eRx.
- Completion of PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0660-LicensedPharmacist.pdf
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.
Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving stating or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking. Additionally, occasional lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies may be required, and bending, stooping or stretching. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 for additional information.
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/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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:
- Current permanent VA employees of the Bay Pines VAHCS (facility employees).
- All other VA Agency employees.
- Current/Past VHA Health Professional Trainee (HPT) Graduates
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.
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
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.
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Other (1)
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/06/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12743359.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.