Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist)
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Job Summary
The VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) VISN 21 is recruiting for a Mental Health / Outpatient Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) who will function at the highest level of clinical practice. The CPS serves as an advanced practice provider delivering comprehensive medication management (CMM) for inpatient mental health and acute care patient populations. The incumbent practices under a Scope of Practice granting prescriptive authority and provides direct and indirect patient care.
Clinical - Direct Patient Care
- Serves as an advanced practice provider delivering CMM in accordance with national guidelines VA/VISN policy and scope of practice.
- Prescribes monitors and adjusts medications for mental health conditions (e.g. depression PTSD bipolar disorder schizophrenia insomnia SUD).
- Obtains and interprets medical and medication histories; orders and evaluates toxicology screens and other labs.
- Identifies drug-related problems including side effects toxicities interactions and adherence concerns.
- Performs mental health screenings and assessments (e.g. suicide risk alcohol use PTSD).
- Provides overdose education and prescribes naloxone as appropriate.
- Screens for and intervenes on substance use disorder behaviors; performs brief interventions when indicated.
- Conducts medication reconciliation at admission transfer and discharge.
- Participates in daily team rounds and provides comprehensive pharmacotherapy recommendations.
- Manages inpatient clinical activities including:- Pain management- Pharmacokinetic/renal dosing- Antimicrobial stewardship (in collaboration with ID)- Anticoagulation management- TPN fluids/electrolytes- DKA COPD CHF hypertension diabetes and other acute/chronic disease states
- Coordinates transitions of care between inpatient and outpatient settings.- Performs focused physical assessments as appropriate.
- Reviews medication regimens for appropriateness safety efficacy interactions and contraindications.
- Documents interventions adverse drug events and medication histories.
- Provides expert consultative services and drug information to providers.
- Reviews Pyxis overrides and performs IV-to-PO conversions.
- Reviews high-risk medication use (e.g. lithium valproate DOACs heparin vancomycin insulin).
- Participates in quality assurance RCA/HFMEA system redesign protocol/order set development and policy updates.
- Maintains BLS and ACLS certification and competency in thrombolytic support for ischemic stroke.
- Provides formal and informal education to pharmacists nurses physicians and other staff.
- Educates patients and caregivers regarding medication therapy and self-management.
- Precepts PGY1 and PGY2 residents and pharmacy students; participates in residency and staff development activities.
- Participates in staff development conferences rounds and training activities.
Drug Information
- Serves as a subject matter expert on medication use safety interactions and therapeutic management.
- Provides timely drug information and literature evaluations to clinical staff.
- Participates in drug use evaluations quality assurance and safety initiatives
- Serves as subject matter expert on committees and supports formulary and policy compliance.
- Supports accreditation (TJC OIG) and regulatory compliance.
- Assists in development and review of policies procedures and protocols.
- Participates in P&T Committee activities (e.g. ADR monitoring MUEs).
Performance Measures
- Maintains and applies knowledge of VISN 21 PBM national and local performance measures.
- Uses dashboards to ensure quality metrics population management and cost-effective prescribing.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday varies may include some weekends and holidays
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 40705-A
- 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.
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:
- Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.)
- Education.
- 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 Policy.
- Physical Requirements. Must successfully complete all Pre-Placement Physical requirements in accordance with VA regulations and policy.
- English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38USC 7402(d) and 38 USC 7407(d).
NOTE: All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on June 7 2012 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to their position at the time they were appointed to it they may be reassigned promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level (GS-12) or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journey level (GS-12) or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist.
Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.
Preferred Experience: - Completion of a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency and 2 years clinical experience- Completion of a PGY-2 Psychiatric or Ambulatory Care Residency- OR equivalent clinical experience
Assignment. 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. ACPS 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.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs in their application documents (Best practice is to document KSAs in Question and Answer format on separate sheet of paper):
- 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.
Physical Requirements: The work requires standing light carrying and lifting (under 15 pounds); walking bending reaching above the shoulder and ability to distinguish basic colors. The work also involves working around machinery with moving parts and working closely with others. A physical examination prior to placement is required.
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: 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:
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01 VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e. medical religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
