Licensed Pharmacist (Clinical Pharmacy Specialist)

SummaryThis pharmacist functions as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in the Inpatient Mental Health Unit at VAPOHCS located on Portland Campus and as the PGY2 Residency program for the Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency.QualificationsBasic Requirements:aCitizenshipCitizen of the United States(Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) bEducation (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.) (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)cLicensureFull - 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 16PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: There may be some walking - standing - bending - sitting - and carrying of light itemsIncumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the positionThe work requires regular and recurring physical exertion - involving standing for prolonged periods of time - lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing at least 50 lbs. - and bending/stoopingSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019English 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 (a) ExperienceIn addition to the GS-12 requirements - must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level(b) AssignmentsCandidates 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 time1Clinical 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 parametersReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-13 to GS-13.DutiesVA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws FUNCTIONS OF POSITION: CLINICAL 1Functions independently under scope of practice as defined by the health care system for selected disease states to provide pharmaceutical care to patientsThis includes but is not limited to the design - implementation - and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas2Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate3Reviews 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 needed4Monitors for and reports drug errors - adverse drug reactions - allergies - and patient compliance issuesDocuments findings per facility procedures5Applies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities6Has expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and able to make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings7Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable8Serves as the primary provider to consult to other VA providers in practice area on the appropriate VA National Formulary medications to consider for patients that are choosing to transfer their care to VA or during transitions of care 9Reviews literature routinely to provide an evaluation of efficacy - safety - and cost-effectiveness for routine patient care and projects as assignedMaintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease managementAssists with medication use evaluations and other Pharmacy and Therapeutics activities10Documents clinical interventions in a timely and professional manner as appropriate11Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies12Works with providers to ensure compliance with national - VISN - and local initiatives13Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as requestedPROGRAM MANAGEMENT 1Assists in the operations of the other areas of the Pharmacy Service Line including distribution and clinical work in other areas (e.gmedication order review and verification - relief help in other clinics or pharmacies as needed) 2Ensure timely completion of all position pre-requisites and requirements as established by VAPORHCS - VISN 20 - and VHA(e.gdocumentation of licensure - education hours - mandatory training - unsigned notes) 3Supervisory responsibilities: Responsible for guidance and direction of staff members as needed by circumstance 4Ensure timely and accurate completion of all encounters and consultsWork Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized