The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) serves a multi-functional role and has an advanced knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics. The CPS spends a significant amount of time in clinical practice within the VAWNYHS. This clinical practice involves direct patient care in practice sites such as primary care, ambulatory care, geriatrics, and anticoagulation. One position focuses on Geriatrics and Women's Health, the second focuses on Primary Care.

Duties

A. Clinical Pharmacy Practice: Functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by VAWNYHS to directly care for patients. Develops therapeutic care plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic, and most economical medication treatments, recognizing the special drug considerations of the age and stage of life for the patient, and communicates this plan to the patient's primary provider. Analyzes laboratory, imaging and clinical data so as to modify drug dosing when necessary in an effective manner and to rule out drug interferences. This may include ordering and interpreting vital signs and/or lab tests specifically related to drug therapy. Develops rational alternative medication treatment plans in cases where the initially selected plan fails to achieve the desired therapeutic result, and communicates this information to the patient's primary provider. B. Clinical Duties: Identifies drug-induced problems that may be affecting the patient, takes appropriate steps to manage these problems and/or communicates these findings to his/her primary provider (includes drug side effects, allergic reactions, toxicities, dosage regimens, and non-compliance concerns). Monitors patient profiles and ensures information is correct and up-to-date. This may include addition of or correction of documented allergies/ADRs, addition of or discontinuation of non-VA medications and discontinuation of orders per current scope of practice. Provides consultation to physicians, nurses, and other health professionals on medication management issues. This may include formal rounds, informal rounds, formal consults and informal consults and may be verbal, telephone or written consultations. Participates in medication management activities such as antimicrobial management, anti-coagulation management, hemodialysis/renal medication stewardship, hematology/oncology medication stewardship, pharmacokinetic reviews and drug interaction evaluations. Distributive: Fills medication orders by selecting the correct drug and dosage form, reducing the drug from bulk to the quantity prescribed, compounding when necessary, then packaging and labeling the drug in an appropriate manner. Responsible for the dispensing of drugs, especially controlled substances, investigational and cytotoxic drugs, to assure that legal and agency regulations and instructions are followed, that proper and complete recordkeeping is maintained, and that the drug storage areas are stocked, safe, and secure. Responsible for special formulations, and for extemporaneous compounding of routine and special medications requiring complex compounding procedures. Administrative/Supervisory: Checks, guides, and advises lower-grade co-workers and trainees on the receipt, interpretation, compounding, and filling of medication orders. Effectively manages and supervises Pharmacy Technicians in their areas of responsibility. Verifies and/or corrects medication orders entered in the computer by Providers with the exception of those entered by themselves when acting in the capacity of a Provider. When assigned, is delegated authority to act as pharmacist team leader or director, pharmacy department when the team leader/director must be absent. Serves as pharmacist-in-charge of the in the outpatient pharmacy during non-administrative tours when they are the senior Ambulatory Pharmacist on duty. Education: Participates as a lead or back-up preceptor to host Pharmacy Residency rotations (mandatory or elective, as assigned), Participates in practice advancement and professional self-development activities. Assists in the orientation and training of new pharmacy employees, pharmacy interns, pharmacy students, medical residents, medical students, attending providers and pharmacy volunteers. Functions as a consultant to the medical staff on pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology via effective written and oral communication. Quality Assurance and Improvement: Participates in the DUE/MUE process by assisting in; determination of problem areas, criteria development, analysis and follow-up as deemed appropriate; e.g., education, review, etc. Research: Dispenses investigational and research drugs to outpatients and inpatients as required in accordance with VA policy. Participates in pharmacy research to optimize operational efficiency; e.g., in the testing of new VISTA/CPRS or other software, use of pharmacy technicians in functions formerly provided by pharmacists, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm, with rotating tours including weekends, nights, and holidays Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21M74-A 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. 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.) 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/place 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). GS-13 Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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: Residency and/or relevant board certification (i.e. BCGP, BCAP) preferred References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15. The full performance level of 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 Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Victoria Anthony
• Email: [email protected]