Clinical(1) 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.(2) 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:
- (a) Therapeutic appropriateness of a patient's drug regimen
- (b) Therapeutic duplication in the patient's drug regimen
- (c) Appropriateness of the route and method of administration
- (d) Degree of patient compliance with the prescribed drug regimen
- (e) Drug-drug, drug-food, drug-laboratory, or drug disease interactions
- (f) Clinical and pharmacokinetic laboratory data to evaluate the efficacy of drug therapy and to anticipate side effects, toxicity, or adverse effects
- (g) Physical signs and clinical symptoms relevant to the patient's drug therapy
(3) Performs continuous evaluation of prescribed medications to assure optimal drug therapy.
(4) Provides medication counseling to patients.
(5) Completes medication histories including patient interviews.
(6) Serves as a drug information resource by providing up-to-date drug information to prescribers, other health care professionals, patients and caregivers.
(7) 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
(8) Assesses drug safety and efficacy, including evaluation of physical symptoms.
(9) Reports adverse drug events (ADE), near misses, and medication errors in alignment with VA ADERS reporting program.
Dispensing
(1) Reviews all medication orders for appropriateness, drug selection, dosage, route of administration and the amount, prior to dispensing.
(2) Ensures all medication orders are entered into the electronic patient medical record.
(3) Fills all orders in a timely fashion; review of the patient's allergy history, drug-drug, drug-nutrient, drug-laboratory and drug-disease state interactions and assessment for clinical relevance should be performed and dealt with appropriately.
(4) Reviews medication profiles and monitors for compliance or potential abuse; problems encountered shall be resolved.
(5) Selects, compounds, dispenses and fills a range of drugs including extemporaneous preparations in both outpatient and inpatient areas. Adequate quality assurance procedures shall be followed as applicable.
(6) Maintains adequate drug stock, inspects drug storage areas, supervises prepacking and the operation of automated dispensing equipment.
(7) Supervises the activities of support personnel.
(8) Ensures drugs dispensed are completely and correctly labeled and packaged in full compliance with Federal rules and regulations.
EDUCATION
(1) Provides education to health care providers regarding medication use.
(2) Maintains basic knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics in the area of practice.
(3) Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff members. Conducts on-the-job training and provides guidance through designated programs.
(4) Keeps abreast of new developments in pharmacy practice and drug therapy by reading pharmacy and medical literature and participating in continuing education programs.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Between 8:00am -5:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:
Starting at $143,455 Per Year (GS 12)