The PACT Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and works independently under their individual scope of practice to directly care for patients. A PACT CPS functions as a member of their assigned PACT Teams consulting for intensive medication therapy management services and serves as a mid-level provider to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEwsClinical - Direct Patient Care Activities Clinical - Direct patient care activities that require a scope of practice: Core functions include patient encounters for comprehensive medication management of complex patients with chronic disease states including, but not limited to, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking cessation, pain management, COPD, CHF, weight management, low complexity mental health conditions, and osteoporosis. The PACT CPS may see patients for urgent or same day patient visits including but not limited to patient medication review for polypharmacy, recent hospital discharges, and co-managed care patients. Function as a mid-level provider to design, implement and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned area. Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy, i.e. change in medication therapy, monitoring, additional testing requirements The CPS solves potential problems by determining if a referral to a higher level of care with the primary care provider or specialty provider is necessary when disease progression occurs, or adverse drug events require treatment interventions. The CPS will communicate findings in multiple ways with prescribers and provide appropriate alternatives to current treatment, which impact clinical and management decisions. Physical assessment as appropriate for the individual situation. Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities: The CPS will review patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions and therapeutic outcomes. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarize significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate. Monitor and report drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies and document all potential adverse drug reactions and incident findings per facility procedures. Applies normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognizes significant abnormalities, and make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies. Assist Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) committee with medication use evaluations and other safety initiatives when requested. Education: Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents and other staff on assigned teams. Using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others. The CPS may serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents in accordance with established protocols. Assist in new employee orientation, competency assessments and mentoring as required. Drug Information: Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance, to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians and students. Uses appropriate references to research drug information. Uses information resources, both written and electronic, including regulatory and quality standards for influencing clinical and management decisions. Maintains a current understanding of therapeutics and disease management. The CPS will provide timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers. Program Management: Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested. Assists in the development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy services when requested. He/she will establish productive, collaborative relationships with staff members inside and outside the department. Coordinates and organizes all duties and adheres to all medical center and department policies and regulations. Completes all mandatory training programs and competency/skills assessments required by the agency in the stipulated time period. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday day shift Compressed/Flexible:Not eligible Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: Graduate of an accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States 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, an 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: 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 knowledge, skills and abilities: 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 experience (minimum 3 years) and/or PGY1 +/- PGY2 and/or Board Certification References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS13. Physical Requirements: Must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position.

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 Bath VA Medical Center 76 Veterans Avenue Bath, NY 14810 US
• Name: Tara Lanigan
• Phone: 612-467-6517
• Email: [email protected]