Summary The Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) / Specialist is a licensed professional with knowledge and proficiency in pharmacy practice including pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. The CPP functions at the highest level of clinical practice and works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the Jack C. Montgomery VAMC to directly care for patients. This position is located with Home Based Primary Care. Responsibilities The following duties include but are not limited to the following: a. The CPP provides appropriate selection of drug therapy based upon the pharmaceutical principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; monitoring for efficacy, side effects and clinical outcome; and advises prescribers as appropriate. The CPP serves as a provider extender and liaison between Pharmacy Service and HBPC. b. Provides patient-specific therapeutic drug monitoring and communicates relevant findings and/or recommendations to other health care providers in charge of the patient both orally and in writing. Monitoring will include prospective review and intervention in: (1) Therapeutic appropriateness of a patient's drug regimen (2) Therapeutic duplication in the patient's drug regimen (3) Appropriateness of the route and method of administration (4) Degree of patient compliance with the prescribed drug regimen (5) Drug-drug, drug-food, drug-laboratory, or drug disease interactions Rocky Mountain Network Human Resources Title 38/Hybrid Title 38 Functional Statement Exempt 1276 X02 T1 623-58173-A c. Evaluates drug therapy for all HBPC patients based on Joint Commission and EPRP measure requirements specific to HBPC to maximize the safest and most effective treatment plan (i.e., reduce polypharmacy and the risk of falls). d. Provides in depth, patient-specific pharmacologic consultations upon request. e. Works closely with the interdisciplinary team to review patient care plans, provide patient-specific recommendations, and conduct timely follow up on discussed issues. f. Provides dosing recommendations including pharmacokinetic dosing, based on age, renal or hepatic dosing; usual recommended starting doses, titrations, and maximum dosing to optimize disease state management (i.e., hypertension, diabetes); conversions to formulary agents; and anticoagulation management. g. Works with providers and pharmacy staff to enhance and maintain proactive adherence to formulary. Educates providers concerning criteria for use of nonformulary and restricted drug requests. h. Makes recommendations/ or orders and follows appropriate laboratory, radiological, and diagnostic studies in collaboration with provider to evaluate efficacy and toxicity and monitor medication therapy. i. Initiates consults (i.e., smoking cessation, diabetes skills training, MOVE program) as needed. j. Promotes health, early detection and prevention of disease, diet, exercise, and wellness programs. k. Takes and records a medical and/or health history. l. Participating in home and telehealth visits, when clinically indicated and agreed upon, for comprehensive medication or disease state management or medication safety concerns. m. Assesses clinical responses to current medication regimen and formulates pharmaceutical care treatment plans and recommends appropriate adjustments to the primary care/subspecialty provider to attain disease state outcome goals. n. Provides disease state management to patients in collaboration with referring providers for titration of medications based on outcome goals, lab data, and current clinical status. o. Performs physical assessments as authorized to obtain objective information to be included in assessment and plan of patient's disease state as needed. p. Refills and renews chronic medications to provide uninterrupted medication therapy between provider visits as authorized in their individual scope of practice. q. Documents clinical pharmacy recommendations and interventions for admission, quarterly and consult medication reviews in the computerized medical chart. r. Documents and evaluates patient incident reports involving medication errors on the HBPC service. s. Maintain current BLS or ACLS certification. Work Schedule: FT, Monday Thru Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Regular Telework 3+ days / PP Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58173-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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: 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.) OR 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: 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: GS-13 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 (KSA's): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSA's: 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. Assignments: 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. Preferred Experience: 2 years of clinical pharmacy experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work is moderately active. Typically, the employee is driving a vehicle, walking around various facilities/settings, visiting with patients standing up, and at times sits comfortably while working. There will also be some light exertion required when walking, standing, bending or climbing stairs, carrying of light items such as papers, books, laptop, small objects, or driving an automobile. Must be able to sit/stand for long periods of time and lift 20 lbs. Ability to complete a Basic Life Support (BLS) course is a position requirement. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.