Clinical Pharmacist - PACT

SummaryThis position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.QualificationsApplicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.Basic RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation: 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.) degreeVerification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education - 20 North Clark Street - Suite 2500 - Chicago - Illinois 60602-5109phone: (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 programToday the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) OR (2) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the 2 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 ColumbiaThe pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full - current - and unrestricted licensureA 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 16English Language ProficiencyPharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)Grade Determinations: GS-13 ExperienceIn addition to the GS-12 requirements - must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelAssignmentsCandidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed belowFor all assignments above the full performance level - the higher level duties must consist of significant scope - administrative independence - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the timeClinical Pharmacy SpecialistThe 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 patientsA 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 servicesThis 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 treatmentshelping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients - providers - and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areasperforming physical assessmentsand ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapyPharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: aAbility to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisionsbExpert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program areacAbility to solve problems - coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertisedExpert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacyeAdvanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies - including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parametersPreferred Experience: PGY2 Ambulatory Care - PGY1 with experience in chronic disease management including diabetes - hypertension - Hyperlipidemia etcReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be a mature - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - demonstrating cheerfulness - compassion - courtesy and concern for staff and patientsMust be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.DutiesVA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities that require a scope of practice Core functions include patient encounters for comprehensive medication management of complex patients with chronic diseases including - but not limited to - diabetes - hypertension - hyperlipidemia - smoking cessation - pain management - hepatitis C - and osteoporosisUrgent or same day face-to-face patient visits including but not limited to patient medication review for polypharmacy - recent hospital discharges - and co-managed care patientsFunctions 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 areasOrders - reviews - and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapyFollows-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 providerFollows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy - i.echanges in medication therapy - monitoring - and additional testing requirementsClinical pharmacy specialists will determine if a referral to the physician is necessary when disease progression occurs or adverse drug events require treatment interventionsPhysical assessment Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities Review patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness - drug selection - dosing - contraindications - side effects - potential drug interactions - and therapeutic outcomes as requiredCommunicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as neededObtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriateMonitor and report drug errors - adverse drug reactions - allergies - and patient compliance issuesDocuments findings per facility proceduresActively participates in the VAADERS Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting programApply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care - recognizes significant abnormalities - and make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findingsReviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicableAssists Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee with medication use evaluations and other safety initiativesDocuments clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriatePromotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policiesWorks with providers to ensure compliance with national - VISN - and local initiativesReviews and verifies medication orders for appropriateness and to reduce potential risk of adverse drug eventsEducation Participates in self-development activities to maintain and increase professional competenceParticipates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists - pharmacy technicians - pharmacy students - pharmacy residents - and other medical center personnel as requiredIs skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching othersMay serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents in accordance with established protocolsAssists in new employee orientation sessions as scheduledAssists in the development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy servicesProgram Management Willing to serve on medical center and/or VISN committees as requestedAdheres to all medical center and department policies and regulationsDrug Information Serves as an authority on drug usage - interactions - over-dosages - and compliance to medical staff - nursing staff - technicians and studentsUses appropriate references to research drug informationHas a good working knowledge of information resources - both written and electronicMaintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease managementProvides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customersEffectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devicesIs able to adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerationsIs able to accurately assess and document patient comprehensionWork Schedule: M-F - 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: AD-Hoc Telework may be approvedVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 571040 Recruitment Incentives: May be AuthorizedEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized