Clinical Pharmacist

Quick Facts

• Role: Clinical Pharmacist (independent pharmacy staff member)

• Core focus: Adjudicate prior authorization drug requests (PADRs)

• Schedule: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM with rotating weekends and holidays as needed

• Telework/virtual: Not available (not a virtual position)

Description

The Clinical Pharmacist performs clinical reviews and adjudicates prior authorization drug requests (PADRs) according to formulary and policy to support safe, cost-effective, optimal medication use. The role also includes monitoring and interpreting patient therapy outcomes, resolving prescribing/dispensing issues, documenting clinical encounters, and supporting pharmacy operations and quality improvement.

Responsibilities

• Adjudicate PADRs and conduct clinical reviews

• Assess and monitor drug therapy outcomes using clinical assessment and lab/diagnostic interpretation

• Maintain advanced knowledge across multiple therapeutic areas (e.g., oncology, infectious disease, neurology, transplant)

• Coordinate patient care with other healthcare providers as needed

• Document all patient encounters in the clinical record

• Oversee medication dispensing/distribution activities, including technician-prepared items

• Process electronic medication orders: verify patient information, dose, route, frequency, allergies, interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and priority

• Identify, interpret, and resolve prescribing/dispensing issues; document interventions when applicable

• Support coordination of pharmacy technicians/volunteers involved in medication preparation, labeling, dispensing, manufacturing, and delivery

• Serve as a preceptor for students and PGY-1/PGY-2 residents; provide education and training to staff

• Develop/improve clinical pharmacy services, medication usage evaluations, and proposals

• Manage and ensure appropriate utilization of the hospital formulary

• Contribute to criteria development, data collection, quality assurance, and medication use evaluations

• Support medication safety systems (e.g., Pyxis automated dispensing; BCMA)

• Document cost reduction/cost avoidance activities periodically

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficient in spoken and written English

• Full, current, unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth/DC

• ACPE-accredited pharmacy degree (BS Pharmacy and/or Pharm.D.) or foreign degree equivalency with required certification

• GS-12 eligibility: either 1 year experience equivalent to GS-11 (VA or non-VA) or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program

• Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy practice and laws/regulations/security for scheduled and non-scheduled drugs

• Ability to communicate with patients and healthcare staff

• Ability to monitor drug therapy outcomes and interpret labs/diagnostics

• Pass background/security investigation and pre-employment physical examination; comply with VA influenza vaccination

• Complete required onboarding and employment processes; subject to a 1–2 year trial period

Benefits

Comprehensive federal benefits package (eligibility depends on position type).