Description
Summary The clinical pharmacy specialist reports to the Section Chief of Psychiatry, who serves as the Senior Rater. For pharmacy professional practice guidance and monitoring, the Supervisor of Ambulatory Pharmacy provides input into the MH Pharmacist's role and performance appraisals. The MH Pharmacist is also directed by local, VISN, and national VA policy. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: \_ickNBEws This Behavioral Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) will function at a high level of clinical practice, providing medication management and other clinical services under a global scope of practice in Mental Health as defined by the medical center that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN, and local levels. Duties will include: Provides direct patient care services within the Behavioral Health Service (BHS) within scope of practice. Collaborates with BHS providers to deliver patient care in a team-based approach. Consults with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners on cases and transfers cases when clinically appropriate. Develops and documents a pharmaceutical care plan for assigned patients in the electronic health record. Assists staff with appropriate and safe use of prescribing controlled substances, including benzodiazepines and stimulants Uses advanced knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics to serve as an authority on pharmaceutical care in specialized and routine areas of clinical pharmacy practice. Answers inquiries from BHS providers regarding therapeutics, drug interactions, dosing, side effects, formulary options, etc. Monitors and assesses therapeutic and adverse effects of drug therapy (including drug interactions) through selection and evaluation of physical and laboratory parameters. Understands and applies the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in the geriatric population. Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal relations with others which reflect a cooperative attitude. Adheres to a prescriptive authority as outlined in a global scope of practice in Mental Health as defined by the medical center that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN, and local levels. Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management. Designs and/or participates in quality reviews involving drug therapy or clinical pharmacy functions. Develops and conducts drug usage evaluation in areas of need from a cost and patient outcome perspective Participates in local, VISN, or national committees as assigned. Participates in educational activities for students, interns, residents, and other trainees of various disciplines who are rotating through behavioral health services. Educates patients and patient family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Uses effective written and verbal communication techniques in educating others. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: 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 60; phone: , or through their Web site at: (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) OR 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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: GS-13 Experience - In addition to the basic requirements, you must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12).Experience at the GS-12 level may include, but is not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); 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. Assignment 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: Completion of PGY2 Psychiatry residency. References: VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Light to Moderate lifting/carrying (Under 15lbs-44lbs), use of fingers; both hands required; hearing (aid permitted), ability to see computer screen. Environmental factors include; working alone, silica, asbestos, etc, and extensive keyboard/mouse usage. 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: click apply for full job details
