Clinical Pharmacist

We are seeking a highly skilled Clinical Pharmacist to join our team at the Sheridan VA Medical Center.

The Clinical Pharmacist will play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive optimal drug therapy and that all aspects of drug distribution and control are managed effectively.

• Analyze real and potential drug-related medical problems and implement corrective action to ensure patients receive optimal drug therapy.
• Apply standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs.
• Ensure efficient and timely workload management of the local prescription pending file and act as a liaison, resolving problems as they arise.
• Responsible for cost-saving opportunities by actively being involved in formulary management activities.
• Evaluate medication orders and medication profiles for appropriateness of therapy.
• Ensure prescriptions coming from Non-VA providers are processed.
• Remain up to date about modern technology, management practices, and clinical practice by reading relevant material in reputable journals and resources.
• Participate in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy techs, residents, students, and other medical personnel as required.
• Verify electronic orders for accuracy while performing a prospective drug utilization evaluation taking into account drug-drug interactions, drug-allergy contraindications, drug-disease interactions, and dosage form.
• Assure doses are within acceptable limits.
• Ensure start and stop dates and times are entered appropriately.
• Ensure that special comments are taken into consideration and clarified, when needed.
• Ensure indication is listed on all medication orders for patients admitted to any unit of the Sheridan VA Medical Center.
• Ensure therapy duplication is minimized and instructions given to nurses for specific use when duplication is ordered.
• Ensure that information such as generic name of drug, manufacturer's name, lot number, control number, shipment number, etc., are properly entered into unit dose packaging machine and are recorded on log books and on labels.
• Ensure that technician packaged items are double-checked by a registered pharmacist prior to distribution to wards.
• Read and interpret prescriptions, obtain proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determine proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affix proper label; and record required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order.
• Dispense medication to unit staff according to pharmacy policies and procedures.
• Perform final review of medication to be dispensed to inpatient areas, and/or fills automated drug cabinets independently without secondary review.
• Rounds with interdisciplinary team on inpatient medical ward, consults with medical providers on formulary alternatives, policies, and procedures.
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution to include issues with inpatient automation.
• Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by completing medication histories including patient interviews.
• Completes medication reconciliation including updating the medication profile to reflect an accurate, active list of VA and non-VA medications.
• Provides oral and/or written communication with other health care professionals regarding drug therapy selection and management.
• Monitors and assesses drug therapy, communicating the findings and any recommendations for changes to appropriate providers, and documenting appropriately in CPRS.
• Provides patient and health care professional education and drug information.
• Utilizes all CPRS and pharmacy software functions including: order flags, view alerts, hold functions, and service reject.
• Enters supply orders to support medication compliance and accurate medication administration.
• Manages out-of-stock situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths and instructions of the same medication equal to the prescribed dose and schedule as approved by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
• Implements VA medical facility policies including therapeutic interchanges and automatic substitutions.
• Participates in medical emergencies including code teams and emergency management activities.
• Reports adverse drug events, near misses, and medication errors.
• Completes non-formulary and medication approval consults.
• Documents patient care activities in CPRS.
• Participates in clinical pharmacy education during shared medical appointments or group visits.
• Completes chart review activities and comprehensive medication management reviews for Community Living Centers, home-based primary care, and residential treatment facilities.
• Performs population management activities to identify high-risk patients and those in need of comprehensive medication management services.
• Ensures inventory discrepancies are resolved prior to dispensing, and notifies the Chief as soon as discrepancy is discovered.
• Fills controlled substances in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy.
• Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including ScriptPro outpatient pharmacy automation, unit dose packaging machines, and inpatient pharmacy automation equipment.