Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Duties
The CPS (Transition of Care) manages pharmacotherapy to ensure that treatment guidelines and appropriate medication monitoring recommendations are being followed, in addition to adherence to National Formulary and local policy. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist can independently manage the pharmacotherapy of patients transitioning care settings under their own scope of practice and in conjunction with the transition of care team or other providers involved in the patient's care.
Duties include but not limited to:
Work with patients through their transition of care in the inpatient and ambulatory care setting in conjunction with the transitions of care team, or other designated team, and follow up independently with a focus on pharmacotherapy and medication education and reconciliation as appropriate for both inpatient and outpatient setting.Fully utilizes the highest level of clinical privileges for CPSs to manage assigned patients.With approved clinical privileges, assumes authority to direct therapy and order lab tests, as indicated, for appropriate patient monitoring. Authority to treat patients can be given either via consult, provider request, function of team membership, or locally approved policy for automatic consult.Interfaces with providers, including physicians, PAs, ARNPs in the design of the patient's treatment regimen to achieve optimization of rational and cost-effective drug therapy.Serves as an authoritative information source on drugs and their utilization in therapy, with special emphasis on medications used in treatment of the assigned patients.Evaluates the drug literature by analysis of experimental design and methodology, in order to compare and contrast therapeutic regimens and roles for new drugs, with a special emphasis in medications used in referred patients.From a verbal or written patient presentation of signs, symptoms, laboratory tests and diagnoses, recognizes and lists important medical problems, disease states, symptoms or abnormal laboratory values that may necessitate altering the therapeutic regimen or which may be induced by drug therapy.Establishes and expands the patient data base through interpreting the drug history, including medication reconciliation as needed, medical history, allergies/adverse drug events, physical examination, and ongoing patient specific monitoring of therapy, with documentation in the electronic medical record.Designs a therapeutic regimen or plan, based on patient-specific information that includes establishing a therapeutic endpoint, electing an appropriate drug and related therapy, and establishing an appropriate regimen and follow up.Monitors and assesses therapeutic and adverse effects of drug therapy (including drug interactions) through selection and evaluation of patient-specific and laboratory parameters.Works to publicize and institute criteria for use of formulary and non-formulary medications.Provides consultation on selection of appropriate therapeutic regimens as a follow-up of non- therapeutic drug concentrations obtained from ambulatory care and inpatients.Completes all clinical reminders, assigned by pharmacy supervisor, that are actionable at the time of the patient encounter.Interviews patients, conducting a medication history and formulating a pharmaceutical care plan; performs medication reconciliation as a component of provider duties.Identifies all drug-induced problems that may be affecting the patient or contributing to a need for hospitalization. This would include drug side effects, allergic reactions, toxicities, improper dosage regimens, non-compliance, etc.Completes or reroutes any secure messages that are directed to the CPS.Provides and promotes cost-effective pharmacy services, offering reasonable, appropriate alternatives to high cost drugs.May use telehealth modalities (e.g., clinical video telehealth) to improve access for patients requiring pharmacotherapy as needed for patient care encounters.May participate in shared medical appointments or group education, as approved by Pharmacy Administration.May propose additional programs or services that assist the pharmacy service in providing pharmacotherapy services, with review by Pharmacy Administration.Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings/rounds.Work Schedule: Employees may be required to work day, evening, night, weekend, holiday and/or compressed, tours on a rotating schedule. The hours may vary per the needs of the service and will rotate, on a fair and equitable basis, to include weekends and holidays.Telework: Available - Per Agency policy and Service Approval on an Ad hoc basis.Virtual: This is not a virtual position.Functional Statement #: 82335FRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn moreRequirements Conditions of EmploymentYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.Must be proficient in written and spoken English.You may be required to serve a probationary period.Subject to background/security investigation.Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.Must pass pre-employment physical examination.Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. QualificationsBasic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).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. 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.
NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.Clinical Pharmacy SpecialistGS-13Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. A CPS plays a defined role in budgetary execution and serves as a mid-level provider who functions to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments; helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; performing physical assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.Advanced skill and monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies comma including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.Preferred Experience: PGY1, PGY2 Residency in an applicable area, experience in transitions of care, and Board Certification in Pharmacy or other related area.References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13Physical Requirements: The work involves light to moderate lifting; light to moderate carrying; reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking; standing; repeated bending, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable, far vision correctable in one eye, ability to distinguish basic colors/shades of colors; hearing aid permitted.The work of this position involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Occasional travel may be required.
EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: . 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. For further information, visit: .
Additional informationThis job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
This is a Bargaining Unit Position.
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
Current permanent VA employees of the Facility.All other VA employees.HPTsVeterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.