Summary This position is assigned to the Pharmacy Service at the Atlanta VA Health Care System in Decatur, Georgia. The incumbent serves as an inpatient pharmacist. He/she interprets physicians' orders, dispenses medications and serves as a hospital pharmacist responsible for drug availability and accountability, patient drug therapy, the informational needs of physicians and nurses for safer drug prescribing and administration, and for the review of drug use to enhance patient outcomes. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Receives, interprets, processes, and fills medication orders. Completes order entries of chemotherapy protocols with scheduling of long-term therapy for both oral and I.V. medications. Prepares chemotherapy products utilizing aseptic technique and trained protective guidelines. Participates in the check and/or double check of the entry and preparation of I.V. chemotherapy medications. Fills and verifies contents of patient cassettes. Checks and verifies accuracy of work performed by students, technicians, and interns. Maintains statistics and unit records as requested. Assists in drug procurement by reporting needed items to the unit's pharmaceutical procurer. Prepares parenteral nutrition products following a patient assessment of medical and nutritional needs. Reviews the patient's medication profile for any possible drug allergies, incompatibilities, interactions, duplications, or compliance problems. Participates in the Medical Center's medication use reviews/studies to assess our medication use patterns including treatment of pain. Advises other members of the medical/surgical team as well as other health care providers on all matters relating to medication, contraindications, drug interactions, formulary medications, etc. Supervises and participates in on the job training for pharmacists, technicians, clerks, students, externs, interns, and residents. Participates in quality assurance audits and drug utilization reviews. Collects and submits data necessary for the preparation of Unit Dose Dispensing Data, quality assurance and other management reports. Assists in developing and updating various medication-related policies and operational procedures that affect his/her area of practice. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Rotating Tour 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, 10:00 am until 6:30 pm, 12:00 pm until 8:30 pm with rotating weekends. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54824-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). 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. (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED). 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: None Grade Determinations:GS-12 (a) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of thefollowing:1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. (b) Assignments. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, Straight pulling (2-3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, both hands required, Walking (2-3_ hours), Standing (2-3_ hours), Kneeling (_1 hours), Repeated bending (Intermittent hours), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Mental/emotional stability. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.