Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist) - Pact

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The primary function of a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist is to assure the safe and appropriate use of medications and be an advocate of rational drug therapy through the following: evaluation of the appropriateness of drug therapy based on patient specific factors; individualization of drug therapy; evaluation, dispensing and providing medications, and drug information.

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Serve as a mid-level provider who functions to initiate, modify, or discontinue medications (excluding controlled substances) as clinically indicated in the treatment of primary care disease states which include but not limited to prescribing of medications for the following: hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart failure, anticoagulation Serve as mid-level provider for other CPPs for scheduled and unexpected call outs in primary care, and anticoagulation Design a patient-specific therapeutic medication regimen based on the patient interview, medication history, medical history, and evaluation of medication pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, side effects, drug interactions and clinical outcomes Documents the pharmaceutical care plan in the patient's Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Serve as an authoritative information source on drugs and their utilization in therapy, with special emphasis in medications used in ambulatory care, to all health care professionals, as requested Evaluates the drug literature by analysis of experimental design and methodology, in order to compare and contrast therapeutic regimens and roles for new drugs, with a special emphasis in medications used in ambulatory care Provides clinical telehealth services (such as VA Video Connect, Clinical Video Telehealth) for appropriate patients Administrative Functions Participates in Medication Use Committee activities when requested Designs, implements and supervises the PACT clinical education and training program for Doctor of Pharmacy candidates and Post Graduate Pharmacy practice residents Register in Electronic Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substances Evaluation (EFORCSE) to participate in the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Project Skills Independently designs, secures funding and conducts clinical projects within the scope of pharmacy practice if required Actively collaborates with other healthcare providers in the design and implementation of protocols and collection of data and participates in the analysis and interpretation of the results Work Schedule: Tour of duty is anticipated to be Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Will be required to work variable tours of duty including evenings, weekends and holidays based on the needs of the service. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40193F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available EDRP Authorized: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not available

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

English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

Education-Transcripts Required: 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 or on track to complete advanced degree from an accredited program by the time of hire.

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).

Licensure-Documentation Required. 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.

Grade Determination: The 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 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 Experience.

In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Experience at this level includes: 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level listed above, 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.

Preferred Experience: ASHP Accredited PGY1 PGY2 Ambulatory Care or at least 1 year of clinical experience with a scope of practice Pharmacy Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy 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: The physical demands of the work includes: Moderate lifting, 15- 44 pounds; light lifting, under 15 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); walking, up to 4 hours; standing, 6 hours prolonged; kneeling; repeated bending; climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; specific visual requirement, ability to read fine print on labels; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); clear speech; and emotional stability