Duties
Clinical: The pharmacist 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. 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:
- Therapeutic appropriateness of a patient's drug regimen
- Therapeutic duplication in the patient's drug regimen
- Appropriateness of the route and method of administration
- Degree of patient compliance with the prescribed drug regimen
- Drug-drug, drug-food, drug-laboratory, or drug disease interactions
- Clinical and pharmacokinetic laboratory data to evaluate the efficacy of drug therapy and to anticipate side effects, toxicity, or adverse effects
- Physical signs and clinical symptoms relevant to the patient's drug therapy
Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy.
Provides medication counseling to patients.
Completes medication histories including patient interviews.
Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers, other health care professionals, patients and caregivers.
Participates in patient care rounds, review charts, evaluates pertinent laboratory data, drug-drug and drug-nutrient interactions, monitors for adverse drug effects, and screens for allergies.
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 patient is not taking.
Assesses drug safety and efficacy, including evaluation of physical symptoms.
Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA ADERS reporting program. Participates in the medical center medication utilization evaluation (MUE) program. Recommends formulary alternatives and completes non-formulary consults as assigned.
Participates in medical emergencies including code teams (if BLS or ACLS certified) and emergency preparedness activities. Provides pharmacokinetic consultation, including dosing vancomycin and
aminoglycosides, in accordance with local policy. Implements P&T Committee policies including therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions to include appropriate patient and provider education.
Manages recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths and instructions of the same medication to equal the prescribed dose and schedule.
Enters supply orders appropriate for patient care per facility policy.
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.
Extends refills until next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per facility policy.
Serves as a role model and preceptor to pharmacy students and residents.
Assumes an active role in staff development of peers and provides educational in-services to nursing, medical staff or to other ancillary 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.
Supervisory: The incumbent is administratively accountable to a designated pharmacy manager. The incumbent is also accountable to the Chief, Pharmacy Service, or their designee, for professional licensure, competency and continuing education.
Customer Service: Incumbent must meet the needs of customers while supporting VA Missions; consistently communicate and treat customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA Staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner; provide customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures; and handle conflict and problems in dealing with customers constructively and appropriately.
Work Schedule: 8-hour tour between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Telework: Ad-hoc
Functional Statement #: 554-55100-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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 11/13/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12600253.
- 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.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
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.