Clinical Pharmacist - Inpatient Job in Des Moines, IA

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Clinical:
1. The primary function of a clinical pharmacist is to assure the safe and appropriate use of medications and be an advocate of rational drug therapy through the following list of examples and activities:
a. Provides appropriate selection of drug therapy based upon the pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitoring for efficacy, side effects and clinical outcome, and advises prescribers as appropriate.
b. Provides patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicates relevant findings and/or recommendations to other health care providers in charge of the patient both orally and in writing. Monitoring will include prospective review and intervention in:
i. Therapeutic appropriateness of a patient's drug regimen
ii. Therapeutic duplication in the patient's drug regimen
iii. Appropriateness of the route and method of administration
iv. Degree of patient compliance with the prescribed drug regimen
v. Drug-drug, drug-nutrient, drug-laboratory, or drug-disease interactions
vi. Allergies
vii. Clinical and pharmacokinetic laboratory data to evaluate the efficacy of drug therapy and to anticipate side effects, toxicity, or adverse effects
viii. Physical signs and clinical symptoms relevant to the patient's drug therapy
c. Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy, safety, and efficacy.
d. Provides medication counseling to patients. Medication counseling may include, depending on tour:
i. Bedside discharge counseling
ii. Follow-up phone call discharge counseling
iii. Counseling patients at the Pharmacy pick-up window
e. Conducts comprehensive assessments of patient's health status by completing medication histories, including patient interviews.
f. Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers, other health care professionals, patients and caregivers.
g. Participates in patient care rounds and reviews patient electronic health records.
h. Participates in the medication reconciliation process, in accordance with facility processes:
i. Pharmacists under a scope of practice (CPP): when acting as a provider, the CPP will complete a medication reconciliation including updating the medication profile to reflect an accurate, active list of VA and non-VA medications. This may include adding non-VA medications or discontinuing duplicate medications or those the patient is not taking.
ii. Pharmacists not under a scope of practice: when NOT acting as a provider, pharmacists will participate in the medication reconciliation process. This may include a medication history, identifying discrepancies, coordinating with the care team to review discrepancies, processing medication orders, and providing patient medication education.
i. Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors. Documents findings according to service/facility policies and procedures.
j. Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUE) program.
k. Completes non-formulary and medication approval consults in the acute care setting. Recommends formulary alternatives when appropriate. Reviews orders for compliance with VA Criteria for Use and non-formulary drug restrictions.
l. Implements VA medical facility policies including therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions (e.g., Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee activities).
m. Manages recalls and medication shortage situations by recommending alternative dosage strengths and instructions to provide appropriate substitutions for the patient.
n. Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care per facility policy.
o. 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.
p. Extends refills until next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per facility policy.
q. Completes patient electronic health record documentation with encounter information for inclusion in Pharmacy Service workload credit for all clinical assessments, interventions, recommendations and monitoring.
r. Participates in facility and service line emergency preparedness activities.
s. Participates in antimicrobial stewardship activities outlined in guidance or medical center policy as appropriate (e.g., IV to PO conversion, aminoglycoside monitoring) and providing appropriate action (e.g., recommendations to providers, therapeutic substitution).

Work Schedule: Full-time; 0830-1900 and/or 1130-2200 compressed tour, with rotating weekends and holidays
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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 trial 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).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

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 07/17/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12758675.

1. 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.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

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.