Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatient/Outpatient) Job in Spokane, WA

Summary

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

  Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Duties

Duties will vary by grade. At the GS-12 full performance level of this position, the incumbent is responsible for analyzing real and potential drug related medical problems and implementing corrective action to ensure that patients receive optimal drug therapy. The clinical pharmacist also applies standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs. Duties will include:

.Finishing and Dispensing
Overall

• Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route of administration and the amount, prior to dispensing.
• Ensures all medication orders are entered into the electronic patient medical record.
• Finishes prescriptions while screening all patient profiles for therapeutic duplication, formulary compliance, allergies, drug-drug, and drug disease and drug-nutrient interactions with assessment for clinical relevance.
• Oversees and checks the completed work of technical and non-professional personnel and provides guidance when needed.
• Ensures drugs dispensed are completely and correctly labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations.
• Provides medication counseling to patients, or patient's representatives.
• Maintains a working knowledge of inpatient and applicable outpatient pharmacy automation programs (e.g. Omnicell, TCG, ScriptPro) as needed.
• Selects, compounds, dispenses and fills a range of drugs including extemporaneous preparations, special formulations, ophthalmics (subconjunctivals and intravitreal injections), narcotics, investigational drugs, oncolytic agents, etc., in both outpatient and inpatient areas - adequate quality assurance procedures shall be followed as applicable.
• Maintains adequate drug stock, inspects drug storage areas, supervises prepacking and the operation of automated dispensing equipment.

• Enters and process Choice and Fee basis prescriptions timely, accurately, and completely.

• Implements the unit dose medication management systems in the medical center and CLC as required for after hours and weekends.
• Rotates as needed to the IV section and assumes all duties of that position as required, including the compounding of chemotherapy and hyper alimentation.
• Manages various actions, as appropriate, for medication orders to include: flagging prescriptions; managing view alerts; using the "Hold Medication" function; and generating unsigned discontinuation orders using the "Service Reject" function.
• Fills all orders within the expected timeframe for each order type: Routine Orders - 2 hours; Now Orders - 1 hour; STAT Orders - 30 minutes.

• Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers, other health care professionals, patients and caregivers.
• Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance or potential abuse; pursues mediation and resolution when problems are identified.
• Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA ADERS reporting program and CQI reporting functions.
• Executes resource stewardship through application of formulary alternative guidance, non-formulary consult review and completion, and restricted medication review and guidance for use.
• Manages recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths and instructions of the same medication to equal the prescribed dose and schedule, as approved by the PT&N Committee and ECMS.
• Implements PT&N Committee policies regarding therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions, including appropriate patient and provider education.
• Provides information and assistance, both clinical and technological, to a wide variety of individuals including prescribers, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, students, patients and families, external review bodies and national vendors, as related to pharmaceutical care.
• Competent in accessing patient information, documenting interventions and overall knowledge of the Federal Electronic Health Record (FEHR).

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 07/03/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12754904.

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.