Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Fort Polk, Louisiana

Salary Range: $137738 - $179062 Per Year

Job 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 (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Major Duties:

The Pharmacist will serve as the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) for the assigned primary care area. The CPS supervises all pharmacotherapy provided by the team providers to ensure that National Treatment Guidelines are followed in addition to adherence to VA National Formulary and local policy. The CPS will independently manage unstable pharmacotherapy patients in his/her pharmacotherapy clinics, improving the clinic system efficiency and quality. Performs clinical pharmacy duties with full professional authority, knowledge, and judgment, operating as a generalist with advanced level of responsibility and experience in all aspects of the total Pharmacy operation. Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as an independent practitioner with maximal prescribing privileges and autonomy under an approved scope of practice. Actively participates as a member of a primary care team to assist in monitoring patient's therapy as directly related to pharmaceutical care. Establishes and expands the patient data base through interpreting the drug history, medical history, physical examination, and ongoing patient specific monitoring of therapy, with documentation in the formal patient medical record. Under appropriate supervision by a physician and with approved clinical privileges assumes authority to direct therapy, order lab tests as indicated for appropriate patient monitoring. Identifies all drug-induced problems that may be affecting the patient or contributing to a need for hospitalization. This would include drug side effects, allergic reactions, toxicities, improper dosage regimens, non-compliance, etc. Dispenses controlled substances and is accountable for accuracy of the work. Must have knowledge of the procurement, storage, security and dispensing requirements as directed by Federal, State, and VA regulations. Quantities of Schedule II and Schedule III substances will be double checked prior to dispensing. Has a Pharmacy Scope of Practice for limited medication refill extensions excluding controlled substances, warfarin, and chemo therapeutic agents with stipulations as noted in approved Scope of Practice. Prepares IV admixture solutions according to Doctor's orders. Must have knowledge of physical and chemical incompatibilities and of the stability of IV admixtures under various storage conditions. IV admixtures will be prepared under a Laminar Flow Hood using aseptic techniques to minimize the possibility of contamination. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday (subject to change based on facility needs) Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:502-00941-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact raja.kadeem@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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/. (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. 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: GS13 In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated KSAs. The KSAs shown below apply to all assignments at this grade level. 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. Preferred Experience: None References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. The Pharmacy can be an exceptionally stressful work environment. Good mental and emotional health is required in order to function at an optimum level. Work areas can be high stress environments, due to volume of workload, which must be accomplished. Patients may sometimes be difficult. The position requires a high level of conduct, appearance, and general courteous manner which facilitates dealing with patients, physicians, and nurses in an effective way.

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 11/18/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12828652. 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: 2025-11-18