Pharmacist(Clinical Spec)

VA Careers - Pharmacy:

Clinical:
i.

Functions as a mid-level provider to design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas.

ii. Interviews and/or evaluates patients during clinic for appropriateness of pharmacological therapy and makes a pharmaceutical care plan for each
patient that will be documented in Electronic Medical Record (EMR) within a progress note. Documentation will be professional and timely.
iii.

Provides drug information, observations on patient response to therapy, and appropriate recommendations regarding treatment alternatives or additional interventions to maximize patient outcomes, taking into consideration, choice of therapy, safety, efficacy, and formulary issues.

iv.

Perform and document medication reconciliations on outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) patients, with a focus on patient's medication history regarding substance use, and other medications that may influence or have the potential to interact with the prescribed medication regimen.

Queries the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for controlled substances as necessary and documents findings in the EMR.
v. Provide real time drug information, medication/dispensing histories, dosing, toxicity, drug-drug interactions, etc., to assist providers in making clinical decisions.
vi.

Review patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required.

Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. This includes assisting with identify patients who are candidates for nicotine replacement therapy, naloxone, and medication assisted treatment (i.

e:
naltrexone, acamprosate)
vii.

Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic data, and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy.

Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy including changes in medication therapy, referral to primary care or specialty provider.

viii. Provide education to providers and staff regarding various mental health and SUD topics, including CBOC providers, as requested.
ix. Lead outpatient group education classes for veterans regarding substance use disorder including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic education.
x.

Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable and as assigned.

This includes supporting effective drug usage criteria approved by the national VHA PBM, VISN PBM, and local Pharmacy & Therapeutic (P&T) Committee to ensure quality patient care in a cost effective manner.

Ensures appropriate utilization of the VHA formulary by health care providers.

Education and Research:
i.

Provides education and training to all health care providers including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists and all others involved with the prescribing, administering and dispensing of medications to patients.

ii. Provides education to patients for the purpose of fostering compliance with medication regimens. Identifies areas of concern and corrects those potential problem areas using appropriate educational techniques. Assists the Clinical Pharmacy Manager in development and implementation of programs which assure and enhance patient care.
iii. Keep abreast of new developments in the field of drug therapy by completing required and relevant continuing education programs, reading
and understanding publications of studies and investigations as related to our current practice.
iv. Supervises and trains pharmacy residents, graduate and undergraduate students as assigned.

Program Management:
i. Assists in the development and implementation of proposals or programs for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy services.
ii. Participates in the appropriate, effective and safe use of pharmaceuticals by contributing to criteria development, protocol development, guideline
development, drug use evaluations, data collection and other quality improvement activities as assigned.
iii.

Willing to serve on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested, which may include the Opioid Safety Review Board Committee.

Work Schedul

e:
Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework:
Available

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

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