The organizational location for this position is Harlingen Care Center (HCC). The Clinical Pharmacist (Inventory Management) manages all aspects of a complex formulary management program requiring coordination of multiple locations which includes policy development, quality resources, and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize cost-effectiveness and patient outcomes.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The Clinical Pharmacist develops, organizes, coordinates, and manages the formulary management program for VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS). Work will require juggling multiple projects simultaneously and being able to continuously reprioritize work based on the needs of the organization. Work assignments will be broad and complex due to their interdisciplinary nature and coordination throughout the facility. The Clinical Pharmacist is often required to utilize unique and innovative approaches to solve specific problems and is required to perform a variety of duties involving a broad range of activities and depth of analysis. A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, VISN, and national policies and regulations. These include, but are not limited to: 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 reconciliations; 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. The Clinical Pharmacist Manages the use of non-formulary and formulary restricted agents (including supplies) through the Prior Authorization Drug Request (PADR) process. Monitors and maintains the pharmacy drug file to include local drug information, formulary indicators, drug messages, and formulary alternatives. Serves as the primary point of contact for VATVCBHCS formulary issues. Monitors and maintains an electronic copy of the VATVCBHCS antibiotic formulary, oral contraceptive formulary, and therapeutic substitution list. Designs and implements procedures to manage back-order issues, drug discontinuations, and conversions. Establishes and maintains algorithms, protocols, policies, and procedures when appropriate or necessary for clinical practice activities, educational programs and interventions, and documentation of outcomes of services. Reviews completes, and/or delegates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. Serves as a member and advisor of the local P&T committee and is responsible/or a delegated alternate for agenda, minutes, and follow-up actions. Serves as alternate voting member (if both Chief and Associate Chief are out) of VISN 17 PBM. Assists the Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee with medication use evaluations and other formulary management initiatives. Maintains PADR database and is responsible for tracking/trending and reporting PADR's on monthly/quarterly basis. Promotes and monitors compliance with established formulary management policies. Works with the providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Serves on the medical center and/or VISN committees as requested. Adheres to all medical center and department policies and regulations. Manages information security within areas of responsibility to assure that computer system security and confidentiality of sensitive information is maintained and that employee access to sensitive information is limited only to that which the employee requires to perform their duties. Acts as necessary to report and address violations of information security. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework may be authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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. (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. 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: GS-11 Pharmacist Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1. 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or 2. Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. 3. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. 4. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: Inventory management (par levels, reorder points, turns), Ordering medication and supplies (McKesson/PPV, off-contract, VAAR regulations, purchase cards), Drug shortages management, Budget and cost savings initiatives, HER knowledge (VISTA/CPRS), Microsoft applications (Excel, Outlook, TEAMS) Comprehensive knowledge of pharmacoeconomic program development, implementation, monitoring and reporting. This level of knowledge is characterized by at least 1 year of experience in a specialized clinical area or advanced training/certification Ability to design and coordinate the implementation of pharmacoeconomic and outcomes research evaluations to maximize resource utilization and quality patient care Comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacoeconomics, and pharmacotherapeutics. This level of knowledge is characterized by at least 1 year of experience in a specialized clinical area or advanced training/certification. Must be able to collaborate with ancillary services to pull economic data to help simplify cost analysis and aid with reconciliation of expenditures in order to help with budgeting process and strategic planning. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15 dated June 7, 2012. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Must be able to distinguish basic colors

Education

MPORTANT: 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.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACPE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

NOTE: 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).

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Duties Continued

• Oversees the receiving and verifying of correct shipment of pharmaceuticals. Incumbent must assure that immediate reconciliation for incorrect shipments and coordination of a correction with the vendor occurs.
• Oversees inventories of direct-order stock weekly and determines ordering needs.
• Reusable Medical Equipment (RME): The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position.
• Additional procurement duties as assigned by administrative supervisor
• Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other medical center personnel as required.
• Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others.
• May serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents in accordance with established policies.
• Assists in new employee/Veteran orientation sessions as scheduled.
• Designs, executes, analyzes data, and publishes/reports results of studies/articles related to formulary management.
• Completes all mandatory training as required by local, VISN, and national mandates within established timeframes and submits documentation of training to the Pharmacy Service Administrative Officer. Assures timely completion of all internally assigned employee education modules.
• Educates medical staff regarding formulary management, approved clinical guidelines, and the cost-efficient use of drugs. Education is provided through in-services and one-on-one encounters. Where possible, uses before and after data to assess the impact of these educational interventions.
• Provides input and assistance to Pharmacy Administration on issues related to areas of practice and expertise.
• Attends and actively participates in pharmacy staff meet
• Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management.
• Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers.
• Reviews the patient's medication profile prior to dispensing medications. Screens drug profiles for normal dosing range and drug interactions, recognizing the special drug considerations of the age and stage of life of the patient. Reviews polypharmacy for drug synergism and duplication. Consults with prescribers on a course of action when indicated.
• Counsel patients and family members concerning directions for use, side effects, precautions, and the need to strictly follow the regimen.
• Monitors patient profiles and ensures contained information is correct and up to date, including any history of drug interactions.
• Monitors patient profiles and ensures contained information is correct and up to date, including any history of drug interactions.
• Monitors patient profiles and ensures contained information is correct and up to date, including any history of drug interactions.
• Makes suggestions to aid in the selection of substitute medication when those requested are not available or when a more cost-effective approach appears appropriate.
• Applies recognized safety standards according to OSHA and VHA guidelines.

Contacts

• Address VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]