The Patient Allied Care Team (PACT) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) at VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and licensure. The CPS functions as an advanced practice provider working independently with prescribing privileges as outlined in their scope of practice. The CPS delivers evidence-based comprehensive medication management (CMM) through direct patient care, specializing in primary care clinical services.

Duties

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm - may vary Telework: Available - Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The Patient Allied Care Team (PACT) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) at VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and licensure. The CPS functions as an advanced practice provider working independently with prescribing privileges as outlined in their scope of practice as approved by the Medical Executive Committee. The CPS delivers evidence-based comprehensive medication management (CMM) through direct patient care, specializing in primary care clinical services as a member of the PACT team. This includes, but is not limited to: 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; implementing risk mitigation strategies; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and safety of medication therapy. The CPS manages medication therapy by initiating, modifying, and discontinuing medication both independently and in collaboration with other practitioners when needed (e.g. collaborating with specialty services such as endocrinology and cardiology.) The CPS will follow patients in direct care setting to achieve therapeutic goals and make referrals as needed to optimize patient outcomes and treatment success. The CPS refers to the appropriate level of care for patients when needed and is responsible for documenting care of assigned patients. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Prescribes, monitors and adjusts medications under a scope of practice. Obtains pertinent medical history and obtains accurate medication-related history from patient and via chart review. Orders, monitors, and interprets toxicology screens and other needed labs; implements follow-up on treatment actions as supported by lab interpretations. Designs and documents a therapeutic regimen or plan, based on patient- specific information that includes establishing a therapeutic endpoint and stop criteria, electing an appropriate drug and related therapy, and establishing an appropriate dosage regimen. Identifies drug-related problems that may be affecting the patient, to include drug side effects, allergic reactions, toxicities, improper dosage regimens, non compliance, patient's age, etc.. Performs risk assessments, including suicide screens, when indicated. Educates patients on the proper use and care of their medications and related medical devices. Provides patient and/or caregiver instructions and education. Determines if referral to a provider is necessary based on disease progression, complexity, unstable disease states, or other events occur that require higher level of care. Address other care needs and refers patients to other services for other needed care, as deemed appropriate (e.g., mental health, specialty care). Communicates with team for next steps and coordination of care, when necessary. Review's 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. 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. Reviews relevant population management dashboards to identify patients who may benefit from engagement in care, medication oversight or optimization, and/or risk assessments; and meet performance goals as determined by national, VISN, or local facility. Provides consultative services, recommendations, and drug information to the healthcare teams and works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Provides formal and informal education, lectures, and in-services to pharmacy, medical, nursing and other staff as requested. Serves as a subject matter expert for assigned committees, workgroups or interdisciplinary teams. Serves as a clinical instructor or preceptor for pharmacy students and/or residents. Provides and promotes cost effective pharmacy services, offering reasonable, appropriate alternatives to high cost drugs. Other duties as assigned by management.

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. 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. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, 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. 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. 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: Ambulatory Care clinical experience and/or successful completion of PGY1 Pharmacy Residency. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System 975 Kirman Avenue Reno, NV 89502 US
• Name: Brittany Strite
• Phone: 3045797687
• Email: [email protected]