This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Pain Management) may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: Serves as a physician extender/independent practitioner in a clinic setting, requiring the highest level of pharmacist clinical privileges with minimal supervision. Principal responsibilities include pharmacotherapy management, provision of drug information services, and the development and supervision of pharmacy programs in pain management. Directly assists clinicians in rational drug selection by providing written and/or verbal consultation. Actively participates as a member of the pain management team to assist in monitoring patient's therapy as directly related to pharmaceutical care. Assures that all prescriptions and actions meet proper eligibility criteria on a patient specific basis and the National Formulary and Non-Formulary procedures are followed; this includes adherence to all national, VISN and local criteria for use treatment algorithms and guidelines. Participates in developing criteria for use, medication use evaluations, data collection for pertinent reports, and other quality assurance activities, as required, to ensure appropriate and safe drug utilization. Fully utilizes the highest level of clinical privileges for CPSs to manage assigned patients. With approved clinical privileges, assumes authority to direct therapy and order lab tests, as indicated, for appropriate patient monitoring. Authority to treat patients can be given either via consult, provider request, or locally approved policy for automatic consult. Interfaces with providers, including physicians, PAs, ARNPs in the design of the veteran's treatment regimen to achieve optimization of rational and cost-effective drug therapy. Serves as an authoritative information source on drugs and their utilization in therapy, with special emphasis on medications used in treatment of the assigned patients. Evaluates the drug literature by analysis of experimental design and methodology, in order to compare and contrast therapeutic regimens and roles for new drugs, with a special emphasis in medications used in referred patients. Establishes and expands the patient data base through interpreting the drug history, medical history, allergies/adverse drug events, physical examination and ongoing patient specific monitoring of therapy, with documentation in the electronic medical record. Designs a therapeutic regimen or plan, based on patient-specific information that includes establishing a therapeutic endpoint, electing an appropriate drug and related therapy, and establishing an appropriate regimen and follow up. Monitors and assesses therapeutic and adverse effects of drug therapy (including drug interactions) through selection and evaluation of patient-specific and laboratory parameters. Works to publicize and institute criteria for use of formulary and non-formulary medications. Provides consultation on selection of appropriate therapeutic regimens as a follow-up of non­therapeutic drug concentrations obtained from ambulatory care and inpatients. Completes all assigned clinical reminders that are actionable at the time of the patient encounter. Interviews each patient, conducting a medication history and formulating a pharmaceutical care plan; performs medication reconciliation as a component of provider duties. 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. Completes or reroutes any secure messages that are directed to the CPS. Provides and promotes cost-effective pharmacy services, offering reasonable, appropriate alternatives to high cost drugs. Other duties, as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (rotating hours, weekends, and holidays as required) Telework: Available, upon Supervisor approval. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 80429F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Requirements

Qualifications

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: (Transcripts Submitted) (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. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) OR (2) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate 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). OR 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). Grandfathering Provision. All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Licensure (Documentation Submitted): 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: In addition to the above basic requirements, candidates must also meet the following grade requirements: GS-13 Grade Requirements: Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (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. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. A CPS plays a defined role in budgetary execution and serves as a mid-level provider who functions to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments; helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; performing physical assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. Preferred Experience: (Documentation Submitted) PGY 2 in Pain Management Pharmacy Residency Pain Management Pharmacy Specialty Certification Selective Placement Factor: The primary responsibility of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) in pain management is the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through both direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. The CPS serves as a provider with prescriptive authority as outlined in the individual's Scope of Practice. The CPS functions as part of the pain management outpatient clinic, and is most effective when embedded within a team assigned to patients to support continuity of care. The CPS in pain management may also consult on patients with pain management pharmacotherapy issues in the acute care or primary care settings, if needed. The CPS has full responsibility to develop necessary services such as physician consultation, patient monitoring, patient counseling and medication management clinics within the pain management setting. The CPS promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN, and local levels. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/16, Part II, Appendix G-15. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and require a pre-placement examination.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Shawn McKee
• Phone: 727-398-6661 X64304
• Email: [email protected]