The HBPC Pharmacy Specialist is responsible for all facets of medication management for patients enrolled in HBPC program (i.e. medication reviews, fall assessments, drug utilization, medication monitoring, and education). Serves as a provider extender and liaison between Pharmacy Service and the HBPC Program to optimize the time and patient care resources of other healthcare providers.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws FUNCTIONS: a. Clinical: Serves as a provider extender and liaison between Pharmacy Service and HBPC. Evaluates drug therapy for all HBPC patients based on Joint Commission and EPRP measure requirements specific to HBPC to maximize the safest and most effective treatment plan (i.e. reduce polypharmacy and the risk of falls). Provides in-depth, patient-specific pharmacologic consultations upon request. Works closely with the interdisciplinary team to review patient care plans, provide patient-specific recommendations, and conduct timely follow up on discussed issues. Provides dosing recommendations including pharmacokinetic dosing, based on age, renal or hepatic dosing; usual recommended starting doses, titrations and maximum dosing to optimize disease state management (i.e. hypertension, diabetes); conversions to formulary agents. Works with providers and pharmacy staff to enhance and maintain proactive adherence to formulary. Educates providers concerning criteria for use of nonformulary and restricted drug requests. Makes recommendations to or orders and follows appropriate laboratory, radiological, and diagnostic studies in collaboration with provider to evaluate efficacy and toxicity and monitor medication therapy. Initiates consults (i.e. smoking cessation, diabetes skills training, MOVE program), as needed. Promotes health, early detection and prevention of disease, diet, exercise, and wellness programs. Takes and records a medical and/or health history Participates in home visits for medication reconciliation and patient and caregiver education as requested by HBPC staff or as needed. Assesses clinical responses to current medication regimen and formulates pharmaceutical care treatment plans and recommends appropriate adjustments to the primary care/subspecialty provider to attain disease state outcome goals. Provides disease state management to patients in collaboration with referring providers for titration of medications based on outcome goals, lab data, and current clinical status. Performs physical assessments as authorized to obtain objective information to be included in assessment and plan of patient's disease state as needed. Refills and renews chronic medications to provide uninterrupted medication therapy between provider visits as authorized in their individual scope of practice. Documents clinical pharmacy recommendations and interventions for admission, quarterly and consult medication reviews in the computerized medical chart. Documents and evaluates patient incident reports involving medication errors on the HBPC service. b. Education/Research: Provides drug information to health professionals and pharmacy staff regarding standard practice, pharmacotherapy, and changes in practice, formulary management, and new therapy modalities within their area of practice. Conducts comprehensive medication counseling and education for patients and family members on complicated medication regimens or for those having difficulty (i.e. adherence, understanding) with their medication regimens. Acts as a clinical preceptor for pharmacy residents and pharmacy students. Assists medical staff in developing, conducting, and presenting the results of medication usage evaluation and outcome measures as needed. Provides education regarding the proper use of medications in the home. Participates in IRB approved research studies involving HBPC patients as needed. c. Administrative: Promotes multidisciplinary teamwork and customer service. Develops and maintains a patient database for accurate tracking of due dates for admission and quarterly review notes. Regularly reviews requirements for HBPC and collaborates with pharmacy supervisors, leadership, HBPC leadership, and Quality Manager to ensure that pharmacy related regulations (i.e. EPRP and Joint Commission) are met and policies are updated to reflect new requirements. Collaborates with providers, pharmacy supervisors, leadership, and staff to develop processes for more efficient prescription processing and formulary management within HBPC services. Participates in various continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives including medication use evaluation (MUE) as needed Preferred Experience: Candidate preferred to have experience with ambulatory care and/or geriatrics. Placement Factor: Candidate must have completed a Pharmacy Post-Graduate Residency. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. English Language Proficiency: Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Education. 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 or Graduate of a foreign pharmacy degree program that meets the educational requirement and can 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. I have a 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. 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: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. To be creditable, experience must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. e. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Additional Special Qualifications: Ability to communicate orally to individuals and groups of people in person while at conferences, via video-conferencing and during teleconferences Ability to communicate in writing for a variety of purposes including the preparation of reports and analysis, publications, and newsletters Ability to organize projects of broad scope and objective without the use of established methods and procedures Knowledge of VA National Center for Patient Safety reporting systems Knowledge of pharmacy automated dispensing devices and equipment Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique Knowledge of basic inventory procedures Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G-15 and FS 53229 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include, but are not limited to: significant computer work/typing, prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging.

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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: James Brinson
• Email: [email protected]