Clinical Pharmacist (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 at the GS-12 grade level include, but are not limited to:

Finishing and Dispensing

• Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route of administration and the amount, prior to dispensing.
• Enters and process Choice and Fee basis prescriptions timely, accurately, and completely.
• Finishes prescriptions while screening all patient profiles for therapeutic duplication, formulary compliance, allergies, drug-drug, and drug disease and drug-food interactions in addition to other tasks assigned daily.
• 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.
• Implements the unit dose medication management systems in the medical center and CLC as required for after hours and weekends.
• May rotate as needed to the IV section and assumes all duties of that position as required, including the compounding of chemotherapy and hyper alimentation.
• Maintains a working knowledge of inpatient and applicable outpatient pharmacy automation programs as needed.

• 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, near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA reporting program and pharmacy 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.
• Competent in accessing patient information, documenting interventions and overall knowledge of CPRS.

• Maintains a working knowledge of pharmacy cost control initiatives and actively participates in identified measures to accomplish pharmacy goals.
• Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care in coordination with the healthcare provider in charge of the patient, in accordance with VA medical facility policy.
• Attends and participates in pharmacy staff meetings, huddles, and other designated meeting - reviews all meeting minutes.
• Implements committee policies regarding therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions, including appropriate patient and provider education.
• Participates in development, implementation and management of programs which help optimize drug costs.
• Maintains an understanding of VHA policies and procedures relating to pharmacy controlled substances and medication inventory accountability.
• Maintains an understanding of applicable institution (non-pharmacy) Numbered memorandums.
• Maintains an understanding of all applicable department policies and procedures.
• Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and nonprofessional staff.
• Takes an active role in formulary management, including non-formulary (Prior-authorization) entry into CPRS, conversions and initiating contact with providers to ensure compliance with the formulary.
• Fills controlled substances prescriptions while complying with all DEA, VHA and local facility regulations and policies.

• Keeps technically current in pharmacy and medicine by self-instruction and routine attendance at conferences and seminars to insure that the professional obligations of this service are met.
• Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services.
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class, non-formulary, restricted and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.
• Assists in other patient care areas (including inpatient) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services.
• 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.

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).
• 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.

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 04/21/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12722810.

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.