Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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
• Language Proficiency: Per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. - chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• 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 - IL 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.) Licensure: Full current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State - Territory - or 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 as - 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level)
• GS11: Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS12: Experience or Education
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet one of the following: 1
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR 2
• Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program
• Demonstrate the following KSAs: Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff
• Knowledge of laws - regulations - and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security
• Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies - including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Preferred Experience: Select - procure - prepare - and dispense medications
• properly interpret prescription
• review patient medical record for safety - appropriateness - and effectiveness of drug therapy
• alert medical staff to any prescription or dosage that could be harmful to patient
• Properly store and protect drugs and chemical
• Counsel patients on the use - storage - cautions and side effects of all medications dispensed
• Interview patients to ascertain past medical and medication history
• Participate in facility initiatives - attend meetings - conduct authorized outpatient clinics - document clinical activities - provide pharmaceutical services to focus on therapeutic drug monitoring
• analyze medical regimen
• Provide formal and informal education and in services to medical staff - pharmacy - nursing staff and patients and their families
• training for pharmacy students
• orientation to nurses and medical providers
• Collaborate with other health professional to develop treatment protocol - standards of practice and policies - participate in quality assurance and performance activities
• Physical Requirements: May be required to do excessive walking - standing - lifting - typing - writing - carrying - climbing stairs - kneeling - reaching above shoulders - pushing - hearing - and reading
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Reviews patient's medication profiles for clinical effectiveness - drug selection - dosing - contraindications - side effects - potential drug interactions - and therapeutic outcomes as required
• Is able to interpret normal laboratory values and to apply that knowledge in the evaluation of drug therapy and patient care
• Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed
• Resolves problem and potential problem situations involving medication therapy verbally and/or in writing within the needed time frames
• Monitors for and reports drug errors - adverse drug reactions - allergies - and patient compliance issues according to established facility procedures
• Consistently considering and accurately applying all available clinical data - drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to each medication order
• Intervenes appropriately to increase effectiveness and minimize potential risks of drug therapy
• Assumes pharmacist-in-charge assignments and performs the duties o a supervisory position in addition to staff assignment Operates and evaluates a pharmacy computer system Performs special assignments when assigned - such as drug utilization evaluations - systematic internal reviews - and AMIS reporting Work Schedule: Beaumont location: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Houston location: Monday - Friday - 11:45 am - 8:15 pm Houston location: Tuesday - Saturday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available-based on supervisor & facility needs Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 580-02129F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Demetrius.Roberts@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized