Summary The primary role of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) involves direct patient care utilizing an advanced Scope of Practice (SOP) relative to Pharmacotherapy/Disease State Management within multiple interdisciplinary teams. The CPS will provide comprehensive medication management of complex patients with chronic disease by face-to-face, telephone, and telehealth (e.g., VA Video Connect (VVC)) encounters, indirect care and chart review. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws Clinical Functions - Direct Patient Care Activities Maintains an active scope of practice, serving as a mid-level provider. Core functions include face-to-face, telephone, and telehealth (e.g., VA Video Connect (VVC)) encounters with referred patients, for comprehensive medication management. 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 areas. 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 lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy, i.e., changes in medication therapy, monitoring, and additional testing requirements. Evaluates and utilizes professional judgment when determining service connection status, applicability of Agent Orange or combat veteran status, and co-pay status of outpatient prescriptions and resets incorrectly marked prescriptions appropriately. Utilizes pharmacy information systems to answer patient and facility staff questions related to status of their medication, completion date, package tracking, etc. Counsel's patients appropriately regarding their medication and documents this in the notes section of CPRS. CPP will determine if a referral to the physician is necessary when disease progression occurs, or adverse drug events require treatment interventions. Clinical Functions - Indirect Patient Care Activities Review 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 alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Provides comprehensive chart review for patients providing realistic and thorough recommendations to provider of record. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate. Evaluates and documents adverse reactions according to facility policy within CPRS. Apply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognizes significant abnormalities, and makes dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria, where applicable. Complete electronic consults for clinical pharmacy services accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with VA and Pharmacy Service guidelines. Document all clinic activities (disposition, medication, follow-up visits, lab results, patient assessment/treatment/outcome, and cost containment) in progress notes in a timely and accurate/quality manner. Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies. Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Reviews and verifies medication orders for appropriateness and to reduce potential risk of adverse drug events. Serves as drug information resource by providing accurate and timely drug information and resolution of questions posed by physicians, consultants, and other health care providers regarding stability, indications, contraindications, compatibilities, dose, routes and schedules of administration, adverse effects, drug use criteria, and formulary alternatives. Academic/Teaching/Training Responsible for the self-development, mandatory training, and education necessary to maintain licensure, stay current with the practice of pharmacy and regulatory body and accreditation standards, and meet facility training requirements. Collaborates with the Associate Chiefs, and Chief, Pharmacy Services to promote learning experiences and improve performance levels of Pharmacy personnel, specifically relative to primary Clinical Practice areas. Instructs or participates in the instruction of supervisors, pharmacy students, and pharmacy residents including developing appropriate rotation plans and completing required assessment forms in accordance with VA, ASHP, Pharmacy Service, and individual school of pharmacy requirements. Participates in self-developmental activities to maintain and increase professional competence. Other Significant Responsibilities Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in CVAHCS and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve Pharmacy services. Represents the VA and CVAHCS at professional/program community group/events and committees. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 604950 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 Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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). 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. 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 Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Note: One year of experience equivalent is met if you are a current/past/upcoming VHA Health Professions Trainee (HPT) Graduate. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist GS-13 Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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: Prior VA Clinical experience/training, Health Professions Trainee (HPT), or Clinical Pharmacy experience in medication management. 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: Significant computer work/typing involving documenting patient encounters in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 45 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place including repeated bending for considerable time, reach above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands and legs required, during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging thus requiring the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously for mental and emotional stability. Glasses are acceptable for vision correction per OF178 as employee needs the ability to read without strain of printed material the size of typewritten characters. Education Additional Information 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.