A Clinical Pharmacy Specialist 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. The primary responsibility is coordination and provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services to patients of the Mental Health (MH) Clinic through both interaction with patients and providers.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Major duties and responsibilities include: Clinical duties: Provides clinical pharmacy services Marion Mental Health Clinic patients and other medical center patients by on-site consultations and direct patient management. Provides pharmaceutical services to focus on therapeutic drug monitoring. Analyzes medication regimens to ensure the most effective, least toxic, and most economical treatment plan. Understands and applies the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics differences in the geriatric population. Works collaboratively with clinic providers to provide pharmaceutical care to selected patients (e.g., hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, et) as outlined by best evidence, VANIHCS procedures, and scope of practice. Monitors, titrates, and/or alters medications per all applicable pharmacy policies and procedures per scope of practice. Prescribes under scope of practice to aid in access to MH providers. Serves as a therapeutic consultant to the medical staff Is directly involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate. Routinely reviews patients' medical records and interviews patients to detect drug-related problems. Reviews medication profiles of patients as requested by other health care providers. Indicates alternative drug therapies designed to reduce the cost of medications in cooperation with the attending provider. Assesses patients for drug therapy needs. Assesses the stability of chronic disease states as it relates to drug therapy. Monitors drug therapy for purposes of assuring intended response and avoiding side effects or interactions. Orders and monitors laboratory results for therapeutic response and side effects. Refers patients needing special attention to the appropriate service or specialist. Conducts drug utilization reviews, quality assurance activities, and utilization reviews as required. Prepares pharmacokinetic drug consults and relates critical findings to the attending provide When assessing or providing patient care, the incumbent will evaluate the impact of the age of the patient as it relates to ability to understand directions, provide objective self-assessment, or any other medical milieu appropriate to the overall treatment plan. Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. Documents clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriate. Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies. EDUCATION/ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES: Assists patients on the proper use and care of their medications. Provides pertinent drug information to physicians and allied health personnel through the use of seminars, formal and informal consultations, conferences, and lectures. May mutually agree to precept the psychiatry rotation offered to students from Butler University School of Pharmacy, Purdue University School of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University School of Pharmacy, and/or other affiliated programs. Precepts pharmacy residents when residency program initiated. Contributes as needed to the Pharmacy Service Newsletter, a newsletter distributed to all physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and dietitians. It provides scientific and technical articles, as well as general drug information and pharmacy policy. Assists the Drug Information Service by answering questions relating to mental health Has a good working knowledge of written and electronic information resources and databases. Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others. Assists in the development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy services. Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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). Preferred Experience: PGY-2 Residency Training in Psychiatric Pharmacy Grade Determinations: GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition, Pharmacists assigned to this position must also demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (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. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15 Pharmacist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate lifting, walking, bending, stooping, standing, pushing, and pulling. Ability to lift/push/pull light loads, carts weighing 40 pounds or more. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination. Normal range for hearing and vision.

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 Northern Indiana HCS 1700 East 38th Street Marion, IN 46953 US
• Name: Amanda Richmond
• Phone: 214-857-2293
• Email: [email protected]