Pharmacist - GS-0660-12 - Ft Cavazos, TX

Fort Cavazos is located in the beautiful 'hill and lake' country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin, 50 miles south of Waco, 160 miles south of Dallas, and 150 miles north of San Antonio.

Founded in 1942, this 340-sq.-mile military base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces.  A 214,968 acre installation, Fort Cavazos is now the largest active duty armored post in the U.S. Armed Forces and the only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two Armored Divisions.

The rolling, semi-arid terrain is ideal for multifaceted training and testing of military units and individuals.  Additionally, the Killeen community is a model of support for Army families. There are lots of resources and networks available to assist you.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

1.  Serves as the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) expert on pharmaceuticals, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics performing duties in the Inpatient and Outpatient sections including clinic and refill satellite pharmacies. Work is performed in support of a medical center facility supporting the Army's largest installation. Work encompasses total pharmacy hospital operations. Using an extensive and intensive knowledge of the drugs and other pharmaceuticals available, their nature, action, and interaction, provides authoritative instructions, advice, and assistance to prescribing and dispensing officials on effectiveness, suitability, hazards, and other aspects of their use. As subject matter expert to the Therapeutic Agents Board, recommends which items will be stocked based on their effectiveness, economy, and appropriateness for the intended use. Serves on a variety of committees, boards, and other bodies representing the pharmacy specialty and medication management as well as providing authoritative input on pharmacy related matters. 

2.  Monitors the dispensing of all pharmaceuticals in the MTF and allied facilities. Analyzes patterns and trends to determine appropriate, effective, and economical prescribing and dispensing of drugs.  Where improvement in these areas can be identified, counsels or recommends alternatives that will still satisfy the medical needs of the situation. Looks for indications of misuse or abuse of pharmaceuticals and recommends corrective or remedial action.  Inspects pharmacy operations in the main and any remote facilities (e.g. troop medical clinics) to insure compliance with operating instructions and quality assurance criteria and procedures.  As tasked, provides pharmacy input to quality assurance reviews and process improvement activities. Ensures compliance with current National Patient Safety Goals, Joint Commission medication management standards and ASHP Pharmacy Practice Standards. 

3.  Develops, with the provider/physician, pharmacotherapeutic regimens for especially difficult or complex cases. Of particular concern are cases involving multiple serious or life-threatening conditions with conflicting drug requirements, serious, drug reactions or interactions, or other factors not receptive to standard or more common specialized approaches. Monitors progress and response to the regimen, modifying dosages or methods of administering as necessary. In emergency situations may change medications or significantly alter regimen without prior approval of physician, but subject to post action review.

4.  Participates in, conducts, or approves studies involving pharmaceuticals and pharmacy related issues. Designs and conducts studies intended to evaluate particular drugs, their effectiveness and suitability, or to study the reaction of diseases, patients, and conditions to drug based treatment. Reviews and approves pharmacy aspects of all protocols and investigative studies including chemotherapy. Closely monitors and controls pharmacy aspects of all experimental and investigative drug use. Prepares related reports and documentation.

5.  Prepares and conducts or oversees training of providers, pharmacists, students in training, pharmacy technicians and other health care providers on the use of drugs and other pharmaceuticals. Monitors training of residents, interns, and fellows to insure drug related issues are fully and correctly dealt with in their curriculum and that the required levels of skill have been attained. Recommends or initiates changes and updates to instructions, regulations and other guidance as needed.

6.  Dispenses a varied range of medications in accordance with pharmacy procedures, Army regulations and federal laws. Prepares and dispenses prescriptions to inpatient and outpatient to over 150,000 beneficiaries. Checks completed prescriptions prior to dispensing for validity, completeness, description of drug interactions and/or errors. Ensures prescription is filled as written to provide the correct medications, strength and dose and to ensure the label is appropriately typed. Provides information and consultative advice and to health care providers on contraindication, drug interactions, questionable dosages or incompatibilities.     

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

Conditions of Employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation is required.
• Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment screening and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to consent to participation in random drug urinalysis testing.
• A pre-placement medical examination is required.
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 45 pounds is required.
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• Applicants must be able to fulfill non-privileged professional credential requirements.
• This position may require the incumbent to work during irregular work hours which may include nights, evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• This position may require the incumbent to work weekends and/or holidays.  
• Medical Requirement: Must be able to distinguish basic colors.