Pharmacist (Clinical Pharmacy Specialist) Job in Tucson, AZ

Vacancy No. CBSX-12741548-25-SH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $150,612.00 to $195,798.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/23/2025 Close Date 6/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Tucson, AZ


Summary

This position is located at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, and will involve coverage of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics associated with the facility and main campus as assigned. The Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist is a licensed pharmacist.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs including past, current and future Health Professions Trainee graduates.

Duties

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

Major duties include:

  • Functions independently under scope of practice as defined by the medical center for selected disease states to provide patients with pharmaceutical care related to mental health.
  • Initiates, modifies, or discontinues medication therapy; ordering labs and other tests to help determine efficacy or toxicity of medications; designs, implements, assesses, monitors and documents therapeutic plans utilizing best evidence or published guidelines.
  • Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, medication selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed.
  • Applies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities.
  • Applies knowledge and expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and make dose adjustments based on objective laboratory findings.
  • Reviews and implements pharmacotherapy and treatment guidelines.
  • Documents clinical interventions and therapeutic plans accurately in the Computerized Patient Records System (CPRS) in a timely manner.
  • Works collaboratively with clinic providers to provide pharmaceutical care to selected patients
  • Reviews and evaluates requests for prior authorization drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable.
  • Serves as an authority on medication management, interactions, over-dosages, and adherence to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, and students.
  • Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers.
  • Monitors and reports medication errors, adverse reactions, allergies, and patient adherence issues.
  • Reviews literature routinely to provide an evaluation of efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness for routine patient care and projects as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 0800-1630
Telework: N/A
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): N/A

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.
  • 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.
  • Education. 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.
  • 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.
  • English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

Preferred Experience: An American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists accredited residency and specialized training or equivalent experience in mental health.

GS-13 Grade Determinations:
Experience. Must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Specialized experience includes: functions independently under a scope of practice to provide patients with pharmaceutic care related to mental health as defined by the medical center; coordinates and organizes responsibilities to maximize outcomes in an ambulatory care clinic setting (e.g., mental health, primary care mental health integration [PC MHI]) as demonstrated by designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective and lease toxic medication treatments; demonstrates the ability to solve problems; achieves positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; assists with medication related side effects; orders laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy; applies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognize abnormalities; formulates alternative treatment plans; documents clinical interventions and treatment plans accurately in the electronic medical record; actively reviews medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, medication selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential interactions and therapeutic outcomes; communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to treatment plans; serves as an authority on medication therapies, interactions, over-dosages, and adherence to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, residents, students, and patients; reviews and evaluates prior authorization medication requests for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. Your CV must clearly document your activities and experiences that meet the specialized experience statement above; we cannot assume.

Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
e. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: This position may require lifting of 15-44 pounds, walking for 2 hours and standing of 4 hours, reaching above the shoulders, and use of fingers; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing aids permitted; must have emotional and mental stability. Must work closely with others and around machinery with moving parts.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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:

  • 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
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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 06/02/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12741548.

  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.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

Seth Hickman
Address
Tucson VA Medical Center
3601 South Sixth Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85723
US

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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