This Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) position is located in the Pharmacy Service department- Inpatient Section within the San Juan VA Healthcare System. The CPS functions as a member of the interdisciplinary medical team and serves as a mid-level provider to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for medication therapy management services. The CPS will have knowledge of best pharmacy practices and the ability to integrate these standards into practice.

Duties

The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist is responsible for the following duties but are not limited to: Design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through interaction with patients and providers. Monitors therapy on an ongoing basis to assess therapeutic outcomes, adverse effects, and compliance. Interviews each patient conducting a medication history and formulating a pharmaceutical care plan. Identifies all drug-induced problems that may be affecting the patient or contributing to a need for hospitalization. This would include drug side effects, allergic reactions, toxicities, improper dosage regimens, non-compliance, etc. Analyzes laboratory data to rule out drug interferences and to modify drug dosing, when necessary. Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, therapeutic outcomes. Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable and as assigned in a timely manner. Dispenses controlled substances with accuracy according to current policies and procedures for inpatients and outpatients. Serves as a resource for in-service training of pharmacy, medicine, nursing, laboratory, and other staff members. Assist with the performance improvement program within pharmacy service as it relates to clinical practice. Documents cost avoidance and savings realized through pharmaceutical care interventions. Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships by committee membership, active problem solve resolution skills, and close cooperation with other services and accomplishing the Medical Center mission and goals. Provides technical assistance regarding investigational drug use to the professional staff. Possesses the ability to use advanced knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the design and conduct of clinical research and/or preparation of editing of manuscripts targeted for professional text journal public application. Work Schedule: Weekdays, Weekends, and Holidays 3:00pm - 11:30pm and/or 11:00pm - 7:00am; Rotating shifts including first shift. Required to be on-call. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61830F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Must be Proficient in written and spoken Spanish. 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. (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. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. Grade Determinations: GS-13: Experience: Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience at this level includes but not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders; making recommendations regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; contacting providers when appropriate; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. Pharmacists assigned to this position must also demonstrate the following 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 Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15 LICENSED PHARMACIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0660, Veterans Health Administration, Dated June 7, 2012. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work may require sitting for long periods of time (4-8 hours) with occasional stooping or kneeling, walking, and standing for long periods of time. The principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (i.e. typing, writing). The incumbent must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job (i.e. computer, telephone).

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 San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Shamaria Hightower
• Phone: 404-308-0199
• Email: [email protected]