Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist)

Applicants 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.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

02Education

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.

03Licensure

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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determination GS-13: In addition to the Basic Requirements you must meet one of the following: (a) Experience or Education. 1-year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, OR Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. (b) Assignment.

A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations.

These include, but are not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution.

Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.

Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. AND (c) Experience. You have at least 1-year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 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 in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

04Physical Requirements

Work in normal office setting most of the time; Typing, filling, and checking prescriptions for accuracy; Use of computer, sitting or standing for 4-8 hours at a time; Speaking and communicating with patients and staff clearly; Climb stairs and walk 300-400 yards without problems; Moderate lifting and carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling, hand over hand pulling, and pushing for up to 1 hour at a time; Use of fingers; Walking and standing for up to 8 hours at a time; Crawling, kneeling, and repeated bending for up to 1 hour at a time; Near vision correctable at 13 - 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Ability to work safely and effectively in various environmental conditions including excessive cold, excessive humidity, excessive noise (intermittent), constant noise, electrical energy, working around machinery with moving parts, working below ground, working closely with others, working alone, working protracted or irregular hours, and working in well-lit or dim areas.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional As Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist), you will: Function at the highest level of clinical practice, specializing in the areas of mental health and acute and chronic disease management, and provides direct patient care under a scope of practice as approved by the Clinical Executive Board Serve as an advanced practice provider to initiate, modify, discontinue, and monitor medication therapy, and additionally acts as a consultant for drug information and medication therapy management services Design, implement, assess, monitor, and document therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments Help achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned area(s) Perform physical assessments Order laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy Provide Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) Services with a focus on managing acute and chronic mental health conditions Be a member of the Mental Health Team and is integrated into all levels of the Stepped Care Model of Mental Health Services as assigned Responsible for aiding in the management of pharmacy related aspects of the Mental Health program, including assisting in drafting of policies and procedures, participating in various committees related to mental health at the department and facility level, and other associated administrative activities Primarily provide care for patients in their assigned Mental Health team(s) or area(s) Work Schedule: Sunday through Saturday * Includes: Evening, Overnight, Weekends, & Holidays Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc, at supervisors discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 11325-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized