The primary responsibility of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist is the provision of evidenced-based pharmaceutical care services through both direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. This pharmacist serves as a mid-level provider, works independently, and promotes, initiates, and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN, and local levels.

Duties

Serves as a provider with prescribing privileges as outlined in the individual's Scope of Practice for Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) in Primary Care/PACT. The primary responsibility of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist is the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through both direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. This pharmacist promotes, initiates, and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN, and local levels. The Clinical Pharmacy-Specialist functions as part of the Primary Care/PACT Team to support continuity of care. Clinical Pharmacy Specialists are employees of their medical center's Pharmacy Service, to ensure they receive all professional guidance, policy and communications, especially regarding the VA National Formulary, VISN and local medical center Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee objectives for formulary management activities and patient safety. The. CPS is also able to perform all the functions of a GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist and participates in the Pertinence Review program. Clinical duties: 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. Is actively involved in reviewing patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Is able to apply a knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities. Has expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and able to make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness: and compliance with established criteria where applicable. Assists with medication use evaluations and other Pharmacy and Therapeutics activities. Documents clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriate. Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies. Reviews and verifies medication orders to be administered to patients in primary care; prior to administration, for appropriateness and to reduce potential risk of adverse drug events. Documents information into VA Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (VA ADERS). All clinical pharmacy specialists should share in the responsibility to ensure reporting of adverse drug events is completed by clinicians. Functional duties requiring the individual to maintain a scope of practice: Provider for extending' medication therapy until next medical appointment, when patients are out of medications (limited to non-controlled substances). Primary provider to initiate, modify or discontinue patient's medication therapy, as a consultation for intensive medication therapy management services. Provides patient specific drug therapy modifications to maximize patient response and minimize drug interactions, adverse drug effects, and polypharmacy while providing cost-effective treatment. The assessments are based on clinical reviews and objectives measures. Clinical pharmacy specialists will determine a referral to the physician is necessary when disease progression occurs or adverse drug events require treatment interventions. 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. changes in medication therapy, monitoring and evaluation, additional testing requirements, referral to primary care or specialty care physician) Provides patient care that is appropriate to the cognitive, physical, emotional, cultural, developmental and chronological maturation needs of the patient group served. Categories Served: Adult - ages 18 to 64 years old; Older Adult - ages 65 and older; culturally diverse; developmentally diverse. Primary provider to suggest and educate other VA providers in Primary Care/PACT, the appropriate VA National Formulary medications to consider for patients that are choosing to transfer their care to VA. Work Schedule: 8:00a - 4:30p, Monday-Friday Telework: Available

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Incumbent must meet the Pharmacist Qualifications Standards outlined in VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G-15. 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 required: A doctoral degree in Pharmacy that is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education(external link) (ACPE) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. Pharmacy BASIC EXPERIENCE: Applicant's qualifications background must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary to perform the work of the position. Pharmacy work requires knowledge of the use, clinical effects, and composition of medications, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties. Qualifying professional pharmacy experience may involve, but is not limited to: Dispensing medications prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and providing information to health practitioners and patients about proper usage of medications and side effects; Evaluating medication use patterns and outcomes for patients in hospitals or managed care organizations; Performing administrative, consultative, or staff advisory work for a medical facility's pharmacy program; Planning, monitoring and evaluating medication programs or regimens; Establishing medication-handling procedures for the storage and preservation of medications; Researching medical literature and/or clinical medication information to provide accurate responses to inquiries; and/or Maintaining all medication records required by law. GS-13 grade level: One year of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE (equivalent to the next lower GS-12 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Licensure: Applicants must be registered and licensed to practice pharmacy in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Preferred Experience: Pharmacy Residency

Education

There is no educational substitution for experience at the GS-13 level.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Kathryn 'Beth' Lasasso
• Phone: (980) 401-2561
• Email: [email protected]