The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) performs the full range of accepted ethical and professional practices of pharmacy, observing all legal requirements and has prescribing privileges as outlined in the individual's Scope of Practice (SOP). The primary responsibility of the CPS is the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through direct care with patients and consultation with other providers on their team.
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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 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. 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. 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 basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-13, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS): Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 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. Preferred Experience: PGY1 Pharmacy Residency and/or previous PACT experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
If you ARE NOT a current, permanent VA employee, Federal employee from another agency, or HPT you should apply using announcement: CBST-12753429-25-ARS The duties of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist include, but are not limited to: Directly involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Core functions include face-to-face, VVC, and telephone encounters with referred patients, for comprehensive medication management in practice areas identified in their individual scope of practice. Actively involved in reviewing patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, medication reconciliation, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Able to apply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities. Expert in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and able to make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. Documents clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriate. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate. Performs drug use evaluations on behalf of national, VISN and local medical center initiatives as needed. Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. Unique functions requiring the individual to maintain a SOP: Serves as the primary provider to initiate, modify, or discontinue patient's medication therapy. Provides patient-specific drug therapy modifications to maximize patient response and minimize drug interactions, adverse drug effects, and polypharmacy while providing cost-effective treatment. The assessments are based on clinical reviews and objective measures. Clinical pharmacy specialists will determine if a referral to the physician is necessary when disease progression occurs, or adverse drug events require treatment interventions. Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy (i.e., changes in medication therapy, monitoring and evaluation, additional testing requirements, referral to primary care or specialty care physician) Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues, documents findings per facility procedures. Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies. Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested. Performs drug conversions and assists with drug shortages when needed. Participates in professional staff recommendations designed to influence rational and cost-effective drug therapy in Primary Care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm (May be changed based on the needs of the service) Telework: Available (Ad-Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-01444-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized