Clinical Pharmacist Specialist

1) Functions as an advanced practice provider for the Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) to achieve defined outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned care area(s). 2) Functions as part of the interdisciplinary team to provide CMM for pain management which may include, but is not limited to: Clinical- Direct Patient Care Activities a.

Prescribes, monitors and adjusts medications related to pain management b. Obtains pertinent medical history and obtains accurate pain medication related history from patient and via chart review c.

Orders, monitors, and interprets toxicology screens and other needed labs; implements follow-up on treatment actions as supported by lab interpretations d. Performs rating scales on pain control, symptoms and functional status e. Queries and documents POMP findings f. Provides overdose education and prescribes naloxone when needed g.

Provides patient and/or caregiver instructions and education h. Uses available population health tools to identify and address risk mitigation needs focused on safe pain care i. Performs suicide risk assessment j.

Screens for substance use disorders when indicated, performs brief interventions when indicated, including addressing aberrant behaviors k. Ensures referral of complex or unstable patients to higher level care, when needed I.

Address other care needs and refers patients to other services for other needed care, as deemed appropriate (e.g., mental health/PC Behavioral Health, physical therapy, yoga, etc.) m.

Communicates with team for next steps and coordination of care, when necessary 3) Performs limited external physical assessment and performs medication reconciliation in alignment with established policies or procedures. 4) In addition to pain management, provides CMM for complex patients with chronic diseases including, but not limited to, alcohol misuse/use disorder and tobacco misuse/use disorder; orders and interprets labs or other needed tests pertinent to CMM and makes needed referrals.

May also treat other co-morbid conditions (in alignment with scope of practice). 5) Determines if a referral to a physician is necessary when disease progression occurs, or adverse drug events require a higher level of treatment intervention. 6) Accepts urgent or same day patient visits including, but not limited to, patient medication review for polypharmacy, recent hospital or emergency department discharges, and co-managed care patients. 7) Follows up via face-to-face, telehealth, eConsult, telephone, secure messaging and other modalities to provide patient care.

Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities 1) Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required.

Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate recommendations for alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. 2) Monitors and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues.

Documents findings per facility procedures and in accordance with the VAADERS Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting program. 3) Reviews relevant population management dashboards to identify patients who may benefit from engagement in care for pain management and/or risk mitigation. 4) Applies knowledge to interpret laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognizes significant abnormalities, and makes dose adjustments or recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. 5) Provides input and recommendations as the pain medication expert on the interdisciplinary pain management team during routine patient care planning or targeted complex or high-risk reviews. 6) Assists the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P& T) committee with medication use evaluations and other safety initiatives, as needed. 7) Documents clinical interventions and patient care encounters in the electronic health record in a timely and professional manner as appropriate. 8) Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives (e.g., OSI).

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the service). Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00915-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Basic Requirements: 1. Citizenship. Citizen 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.) 2. Education.

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 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). 3.

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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-13, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level 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 Preferred Experience: Preferred 1 year experience in pain management clinic with direct patients care, PGY2 Pain Management, or PGY1 with Pain Management experience.

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.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.