United States Citizens Excepted Service Permanent Part Time 32 hours
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 1274758
**This is an external announcement.** Current permanent VA Black Hills Health Care System/other VA/other current permanent Federal agency employees MUST apply under the internal announcement: BH-14-430-CJ-1275150-BU unless applying by using Veteran Preference. All applicants applying under this external announcement will be subject to Veterans Preference.
**OUR MISSION:** To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise – “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan”-by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans.
The VA Black Hills Health Care System (VA BHHCS) is located in the Black Hills of Western South Dakota, where America vacations. South Dakota has No State Income Tax, is the Second Happiest and one of the Safest States in the Nation, is home to one of GORP.com’s Top Ten Scenic Drives and Top Ten National Forests, features an Outdoor Life’s Top City for Outdoor Enthusiasts and hosts the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
VA BHHCS is where we live and work in rural small town settings, only minutes from Rapid City’s shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment venues. We offer rich history, from Mammoths and Prehistoric Civilizations to the 7th Cavalry, Deadwood, the Star Spangled Banner and Mount Rushmore.
The Black Hills includes stunning landscapes such as Harney Peak, Bear Butte, the Badlands, Sylvan Lake, the Needles Highway and the Black Hills National Forest. When it’s time for civilization, you’ll find the Black Hills hosting local and national theatre groups, movie companies, national powwow competitions, international dance troupes, symphony orchestras, concerts, and a variety of entertainers. Sports enthusiasts will find auto races, college sports, semi-pro hockey, and some of the best in rodeo.
With primary campuses at Fort Meade and Hot Springs and numerous Community Based Outpatient Clinics, VA BHHCS provides primary and secondary medical and surgical care, along with Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program services, for Veterans from North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. VA Black Hills Health Care is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23) – where we’ve been caring for America’s Heroes for over 100 years.
**Note:** The full performance level of this vacancy is **GS-12**. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is **GS-12.** The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.
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.
Must pass pre-employment examination Must be proficient in written and spoken English Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required Background and-or Security Investigation required Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
The Clinical Pharmacist (CP) position primarily serves to handle routine medication related activities and may also serve as a backup for areas that include serving as an independent practitioner with prescribing privileges under a scope of practice. This pharmacist promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN and local levels. CP are employees of their medical center's Pharmacy Service, to ensure they receive all professional guidance, policy and communications, along with department missions and goal, especially regarding the VA National Formulary, VISN and local medical center Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee objectives for formulary management activities and patient safety. VA Black Hills supports a PGY1 and PGY2 Ambulatory Care Residency program.
**Hours:** Part time, 32 hours per pay period
**Functional Statement Title/#:** Clinical Pharmacist June 2014
* **U.S. citizenship**
* **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/.
(**NOTE:** _Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy_.)
(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. 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.
* **English Language Proficiency.** Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
**Preferred Experience:**PGY1 pharmacy residency.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
**GRADE DETERMINATIONS:**
**GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level)**
(a) **Experience or Education.** In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:
*1*. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or
*2*. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.
(b) **Assignment.**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. Comprehensive knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy such as quality assurance/utilization review, informatics systems, drug information, etc. This level of knowledge is usually characterized by at least 1 year of experience in a specialized clinical area or advanced training/certification.
2. Comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacoeconomics and pharmacotherapeutics. This level of knowledge is usually characterized by at least 1 year of experience in a specialized clinical area or advanced training/certification.
3. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
4. Knowledge of the design, conduct, and interpretation of controlled clinical drug trials or other research related to health care.
5. Ability to communicate orally / in writing to persuade and influence clinical decisions.
6. Comprehensive knowledge of DEA, FDA, VA, the State (Territory of District of Columbia, if appropriate), TJC and other standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs to both inpatients and outpatients (including research and investigational drugs).
**References:**Input applicable VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15
**PLEASE NOTE: ** Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
**Physical Requirements:**Moderate Lifting (15-44 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15 - 44 lbs); Pushing (1 –2hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3hours);Standing (up to 8 hours); Kneeling (up to 1 hour); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors' ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.
**Veterans' Preference:** When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.
Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. **All applicants are encouraged to apply online.**
**For a short video with explicit instructions and guidance on how to apply online, please click on the following link**:http://vakncdn1.cdn.va.gov/CONTENT/National/ApplyingwithUSAStaffing_3978_1262010_105646.wmv
**To apply for this position**, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, December 26, 2014 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click **Apply Online** to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the **Submit My Answers** button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
**The following documents are required. If you fail to submit any of the required documents you will be found ineligible. Application and OF 306 must be current, signed and dated.**
1.) **CV or Resume** (This must include starting and ending dates of employment, month and year, hours worked per week, and salary information.) To ensure you are properly rated, you must make certain the required experience and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed in the qualifications section of the vacancy announcement are addressed in detail in the body of your resume.
2.) VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations (Available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf) **Must be current, signed and dated within the last year.**
3.) **Occupational Questionnaire**
4.) **OF 306 -**** Declaration of Federal Employment.** **Must be current, signed and dated within the last year.**
5.) **If** prior military service, include all copies of your **DD Forms 214** or proof of service (required). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an** SF 15**, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf).
6.) **Transcripts.** Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for this application. Prior to appointment, official transcripts are required.
Please use this checklist__to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify),documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
*Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:*
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
**NOTE:** If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
**If you completed the occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):**
1. To fax your documents, you must use the following cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf and provide the required information. The Vacancy ID is 1274758.
2. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, December 26, 2014Friday, December 26, 2014 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.
**To complete the occupational questionnaire and submit via fax:**
1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire.
2. Print the 1203FX form, follow the instructions and provide your responses to the occupational questionnaire items http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdf.
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
After we receive your complete application package (including any required documents), your qualifications will be reviewed to decide if you meet the basic requirements. You will be notified when this decision is made. Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at http://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.asp
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.