Duties
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The primary responsibility of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Primary Care) is the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through both direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers, routinely functioning with minimal supervision as an independent practitioner operating under a scope of practice. This pharmacist promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN and local levels. This pharmacist must utilize clinical expertise, critical thinking and professional judgment to solve complex problems and to provide care to Veterans as well as clinical information and recommendations to providers. This pharmacist functions as part of the Pharmacy Team to accomplish department missions and goals.
Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
- Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
- Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
- Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
- Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm or per supervisor discretion.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F04240
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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).
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.
- English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
- Education: (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: 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.
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:
Experience and Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following:
- 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS12) and
- Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
Functions include but are not limited to:
Clinical:
- Using advanced knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics, the CPS serves as an authority on pharmaceutical care in specialized and routine areas of clinical pharmacy practice for Ambulatory Care/PACT clinical staff and pharmacy staff. The CPS serves as drug information resource, answering inquiries regarding therapeutics, drug interactions, dosing, side effects, formulary options, etc.
- The CPS is responsible for the evaluation, monitoring and medication management of Veterans referred by consult to the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for chronic disease state management. This will involve the design of a therapeutic regimen or plan, based on patient-specific information, which includes establishing a therapeutic endpoint, selecting an appropriate drug(s) and related therapy and establishing an appropriate dosage regimen. This includes the initiation and prescribing of appropriate pharmacotherapy and laboratory monitoring related to national guideline-based treatment of diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking cessation, hypertension and other chronic disease state medication management as requested by VA Primary Care/SAC Providers and as included in the CPS Scope of Practice.
- If assigned to the Anticoagulation Clinic, the CPS is responsible for the evaluation, monitoring and management of anticoagulation for Veterans referred by consult. This includes warfarin or DOAC initiation, dose adjustment, determination of frequency of laboratory follow-up and management of "bridging" with low molecular weight heparins when indicated, patient education and compliance with all components of the Anticoagulation Management Program.
- The CPS obtains medication histories from patients and performs medication reconciliation at all transitions of care, 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 Veteran is not taking. Significant findings are summarized and documented in the medical record and communicated to the provider as appropriate.
- The CPS is actively involved in reviewing patient medication regimens for drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, cost-effectiveness and therapeutic outcomes as appropriate. Findings and recommendations for alternatives to current treatment plan will be communicated to the providers as appropriate. The CPS will utilize Population Health tools along with review of medical records to collaborate with PACT teams to improve outcomes for Veterans.
- The CPS will monitor for and report medication errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies and patient compliance/adherence issues, documenting findings per facility procedures.
- When assessing or providing patient care the CPS will consider the age, literacy level and learning barriers (e.g. low vision, hard of hearing, dementia, etc.) of the patient as it relates to ability to understand and follow directions, provide objective self-assessment or any other pertinent factors which may affect the Veteran's overall treatment plan.
- The CPS reviews electronically-submitted non-formulary drug requests (NDR) and PA-F requests utilizing National VA PBM Criteria for Use when available, completing review and documenting adjudication in CPRS in a timely manner as determined by VISN and National PBM leadership.
- The CPS participates in pharmacy service and Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee quality assurance/performance improvement activities, including MUE projects. The CPS serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as assigned.
Administrative:
- The CPS manages clinical practice by scheduling, reviewing consults and, finishing encounters to meet timeliness standards.
- The CPS participates and/or supports Pharmacy Service-initiated cost/benefit programs in support of VA efforts at maintaining stewardship of resources.
- The CPS participates in peer performance review as stipulated by VHA Directive 2008-043 for clinical pharmacists providing direct patient care under a scope of practice.
Education:
- The CPS will assume an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program including pharmacy students, professional and non-professional staff members, and actively participates in all clinical pharmacy activities, e.g. staff development, clinical pharmacy meetings, etc.
Preferred Experience: Ambulatory care, Home Based Primary Care.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (1 hour); pushing (1 hour) reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours); standing (2 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).
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.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- License
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
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
- Other (1)
- Professional Certification
- 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 08/22/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12774086.
- 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.