As a clinical pharmacy specialist, the incumbent functions at the highest level of clinical practice, working independently under his/her scope of practice as defined by the medical center to directly care for patients served in all critical care wards (MICU, CCU, SICU), any acute care wards or other areas as assigned.

Duties

Provides comprehensive medication management for the Critical Care Service (MICU/CCU/SICU) and Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Attends and participates in multidisciplinary rounds, team meetings, conferences, and other meetings as required for the purpose of designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic, and most economical medication treatment. Demonstrates recognized expertise in critical care and acute care management of patients, as well as antimicrobial stewardship. Monitors and assesses the outcome of drug therapies with advanced skill, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic procedures. Works closely with physicians and nurses to monitor patient response to medications-including efficacy, safety, and outcome, with special attention to critical care. S/He submits summary data or documents a significant impact of interventions on pharmaceutical care (costs, patient compliance, reduction in morbidity/mortality, selection of formulary products, reduction in numbers of medications) as requested by pharmacy supervisor. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics as determined by peer review. Documents interventions and recommendations via CPRS progress notes and consults, demonstrating the ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Written documentation of all medication reviews and interactions is required. Provides verbal and written medication information to patients or families on request and appropriate discharge counseling when necessary. Assists the area of practice in meeting all The Joint Commission medication management standards by having an expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for the area of practice. Evaluates non-formulary and restricted medication requests from assigned providers. Supervises pharmacy trainees and residents assigned to participate in the program. Participates in other clinical pharmacy activities as assigned by supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7am-3:30pm Telework: Upon Supervisory Approval Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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: 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. 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. GS-13 Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, you must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. GS-13 Assignments: Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist: 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: a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. e. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. Preferred Experience: Successful completion of a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency in Critical Care or Internal Medicine +/- Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy or Critical Care. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a 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 Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital 800 Hospital Drive Columbia, MO 65201 US
• Name: Brenda McKee
• Phone: 8088307188
• Email: [email protected]