This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice, top of licensure and serves as an advanced practice provider working independently with prescribing privileges as outlined in the individual's scope of practice. The primary responsibility of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist is the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through both direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. The pharmacist promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge. The CPS functions as part of the PACT and is most effective when assigned to a panel of patients, to support continuity of care. Other duties include but are not limited to: Promotes a patient-focused, team-based multi-disciplinary model of pharmaceutical care through drug prescribing, medication monitoring, physical assessment and drug laboratory review that assures positive outcomes from medication use. Enhances current pharmacy system to place pharmacists into an environment of direct patient and prescriber contact, where pharmacists also have unrestricted access to clinical information (including documentation as well as ordering/discontinuing medications and laboratory studies). Develop and maintain a system that aids pharmacists in identifying actual or potential drug-related problems at the front end of the order. Assures that pharmacists provide patient medication counseling by verifying patient understanding of the medication, proper medication use, expected outcomes, how to obtain refills of medication and how the current prescription will be processed. Participates in the provision of pharmaceutical care support services as required including drug distribution, drug information, database management and documentation of interventions. Utilizes expert knowledge of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to make dose adjustment based on objective laboratory findings. Actively participates in the Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting program. Documents clinical interventions and therapeutic plans. Procures histories and provides evaluations, monitoring pharmacotherapeutic treatment plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments. Assists in the training of pharmacy students during four to eight week ambulatory care rotations. Coordinating and supervising the activities of postgraduate residents in ambulatory care in the capacity as preceptor. Provides therapeutic lectures to pharmacy students and residents. Schedules educational programs for the pharmacy staff, patient care area and/or Primary Care providers. Serves as an authoritative information source on medication and their uses. Responsible for maintaining and improving professional competency by keeping up with information on new medications, new medication therapies, and innovations in pharmacy practices. Instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Assess and document patient comprehension. Refer patients to educational programs provided at the medical center by multidisciplinary teams. Assists with development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy services. Responsible for the daily operation status of the various aspects of the pharmacy programs. Performs any duties and special projects deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service, for the proper operation of the Pharmacy Service. Utilizes innovative and creative procedures to implement cost containment. Supervises technical support staff during holiday and off tours. Responsible for the safe and appropriate distribution or dispensing of medications. Ensures that all Pharmacy Service and other regulatory policies are compliant with in regards to medication labeling, inventory management, formulary management, PBM initiative, equipment maintenance and timeliness of service. Provides supervision of Pharmacy support staff in the conduct of distributive functions. Consults with patients and healthcare system staff whenever there is a question concerning therapeutic or policy matters regarding outpatient and/or inpatient provider orders. Work Schedule: Tour of duty will primarily be Monday - Friday; 8 hour shift between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Subject to change to include variable tours of duty, weekends, and/or holidays based on Service needs or patient care needs. Compressed/Flexible:Not available Telework: Available, Adhoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 20224F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: (1) 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. NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy. (2) 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. (Submit documentation). 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. Physical Requirements. Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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). 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-660 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. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Supervisor GS-13: Experience: Candidates must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Specialized experience includes: Handling routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations; 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The following knowledge, Skills and abilities are also required at the GS-13 grade level: Ability to effectively supervise subordinate staff. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards pertaining to pharmacy. Skill in managing people or programs. Preferred Experience: Completion of PGY1 Pharmacy Residency or equivalent. Prefer applicant to be on a current scope of practice/prescribing privileges in PACT/Primary Care clinic setting. Board Certification (BCPS, BCACP, BCGP) preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15 dated June 7, 2012. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and bending/stooping/stretching.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Janice Lord
• Phone: 207-800-5649
• Email: [email protected]