Clinical Pharmacist

Summary

NOTE:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Clinical Pharmacist handles routine medication related activities to include, but 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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency:
  Pharmacists appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a.
• 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 ACPE at 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602‑5109.
• Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program; today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.
• Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate can 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 or the District of Columbia.
• The pharmacist must maintain current registration if it 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.
• Individuals who have had multiple licenses revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care are not eligible unless the revoked or surrendered license is fully restored.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed 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.
• Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who later obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic…