Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - GeriPACT

01Preferred Experience

Completion of residency program 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.

02Basic Requirements

1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 3.

03Education

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.

Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (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 program.

Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) 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 InternetBased Test (TOEFL iBT). 4.

04Licensure

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.

Grandfathering Provision: All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-0660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

05Grade Determinations

GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Experience or Education: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (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 13.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 13.

06Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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).

The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist (CPS) serves as a mid-level provider for an assigned health care team (i.e., GeriPACT) who functions to initiate, modify, or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for medication therapy management.

Major Duties include but are not limited to the following:Clinical-Direct Patient Care Activities: 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 health care teams. Interactions with patients involve a variety of modalities that include but are not limited to telephone, video telehealth, and in person visits.

May initiate, modify, or discontinue medications with appropriate follow-up monitoring under authority given through approved scope of practice. Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. Follows up with patients on laboratory or test results to discuss the plan of therapy.

Provides comprehensive medication management and documents relevant history, assessment, and pharmaceutical care plans in the electronic medical record in a timely manner. Helps coordinate care deemed appropriate and may also determine if a referral to another provider or service is necessary. Clinical-Indirect Patient Care Activities: Identifies patients who may benefit from comprehensive medication management through population management reports, national/regional/local initiatives, or local team activities.

Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings, recommendations, and plans to the health care team. Obtains medication histories and performs medication reconciliation from patients along with collateral sources and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or health care team as appropriate.

Monitors and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Routinely attends and actively participates in required pharmacy, interdisciplinary, and assigned team meetings. Supports effective drug use criteria approved by the national VHA PBM (pharmacy benefits manager), VISN PBM and local Pharmacoeconomics which help ensure quality patient care in a cost-effective manner-effective manner.

Assists with the Non-Formulary/Prior Authorization Medication process as necessary when involving their assigned teams. Participates in the provision of pharmaceutical care support services as required including drug distribution, drug information, and database management. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 11032-F EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more