Clinical Pharmacist

Clinical Pharmacist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Lowell, Massachusetts

Salary Range: $128549 - $177356 Per Year

Job Summary: A Clinical Pharmacist (production) works in VA Consolidation Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP), a highly automated mail order pharmacy that provides prescription order fulfillment, medication assessment and verification and mail packaging for prescription orders transmitted electronically from host sites. Host sites include VA facilities as well as other government agencies with which the VA has sharing agreements.

Major Duties:

• Major duties include, but are not limited to: Prescription Distribution: (1) Utilizing professional knowledge of pharmaceuticals, governing laws, regulations, and standards of pharmacy practice provides physical or virtual inspection of available data to determine the dispensing accuracy of prescriptions prepared by technical staff or dispensing automation. (2) Dispenses medications with accuracy according to current local policies and procedures while effectively prioritizing workflow to ensure timely provision of service. (3) For prescriptions not meeting established verification criteria. follows appropriate procedure for correction within the CMOP. (4) Evaluates and trends internal data for assigned area and related processes when indicated to ensure optimal performance and accuracy of system. Inventory/Product Line Support: (1) Stays current regarding new pharmaceutical therapies, developing standards or pharmacy practice and advances in information technology. (2) Identifies opportunities for increased dispensing efficiency related to product movement. variable pack sizes, re-distribution among systems and sub-systems and makes recommendations to a Supervisory Pharmacist or Logistics Manager. (3) Provides quality assurance for replenishment activities of pharmacy technicians for automated dispensing equipment. (4) Participates in coordination of inventory reduction/procurement in an effort to meet CMOP initiatives. Automation Support: (1) Stays current regarding new pharmacy automated dispensing technology. (2) Monitors performance of the automated dispensing equipment. Communicates issues, progress and status to Supervisor(s) to ensure optimal performance, safety and workflow. (3) Provides direction to the technical staff working with the automated processing equipment, including establishing guidelines in regard to performance, reviewing accuracy. quality and efficiency of general workflow. (4) Provides input in developing policies, procedures, and training guidelines for the proper use and maintenance of automated dispensing systems. (5) Ensures the timeliness and accuracy of orders by utilizing internal monitors. Trouble­shoots and resolves minor automated dispensing machinery problems, correct errors, and verifies calibrations. Administrative/Program Support: (1) Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal relationships which reflect a cooperative attitude. (2) Exercises leadership and practices time management skills. (3) Provides direction to CMOP technical staff in all aspects of prescription filling processes such as: proper procedures for product stocking. automation replenishment, document printing, medication labeling and prescription packaging for mail. (4) Actively participates in the systematic collection of quality assurance and/or performance improvement data under the direction of a Supervisory Pharmacist(s). (5) As assigned, participates effectively as a representative on a local or national CMOP committee, sub-committee, or task force and performs other duties that are deemed essential to the CMOP operation by Management Team. (6) Provides leadership in the identification and analysis of healthcare trends and usage. (7) Complies with Safety Occupational and Health Standards and Policies. Reports all hazardous environmental situations to a Supervisor. (8) Stays current regarding new pharmaceutical therapies, developing standards of pharmacy practice and advances in information technology. Takes advantage of educational opportunities advancement in areas such as Project Management, Lean, Six Sigma or other local or National CMOP initiatives. (9) Participates effectively in all aspects of the CMOP training program. Promotes the learning experience by striving to improve personal knowledge base and performance. (10) Provides medication and practice related education and training to professional, administrative. and technical staff. Participates in and provides on-the-job training and in­ service programs. (11) Provides guidance and training to Pharm.D. candidates and pharmacy residents under the guidance of the Pharmacy Preceptor. Provides guidance and training to new CMOP employees as directed by a Supervisory Pharmacist. (12) Demonstrates understanding of and compliance with competency standards in accordance with Veterans Administration and The Joint Commission recommendations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 5:30AM to 3:00 PM, Compressed Schedule 9 Hour Shift Compressed/Flexible: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70010A, 68656A

Qualifications: Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. (1) Exception: Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed. (2) Failure to Obtain License: In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision: All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Grade Determinations: (1) GS-11 Pharmacist (a) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph above.) (b) Assignment. Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience or Education. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, candidates must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (1). 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and (b) possess a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) from an ACPE accredited institution, or (2). Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. Assignment: Assignment. A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. These include, but are not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. 3. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. 4. 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/HT38/0660-LicensedPharmacist.pdf Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 12/15/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12841110. 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.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-15