The Internal Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) works with a high level of autonomy and independent decision-making within the parameters of their scope of practice as defined by the Medical Center to directly care for patients. The incumbent serves as a mid-level provider by initiating, modifying, or discontinuing medication therapy, and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States Education: Applicants must possess one of the following: 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.) 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. 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 above, applicants must possess the following grade requirements. GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist: Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition, applicants must meet 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 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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for 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 30 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.
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Internal Medicine) duties include but are not limited to: Incumbent will routinely provide and support leadership and management oversight as it relates to the clinical programs and clinical activities of assigned personnel. Monitor drug utilization (formulary, non-formulary, restricted) and intervene to ensure formulary adherence and optimal evidence-based clinical outcomes. Monitor the educational needs of providers, pharmacists, and patients, and make recommendations to address any deficiencies. Actively participate in supporting any defined educational programs and activities. Participate in the development of quality and performance monitoring programs to support the optimal use of our personnel and medication resources. Act as a liaison between service line leadership, pharmacy management, medical staff and healthcare personnel, and pharmacy team members. Routine emphasis should be on clinical, operational, and environmental-scanning communication updates. Actively support the department's medication and fiscal management activities and programs. The CPS shall routinely provide and support pharmacoeconomic and clinical pharmacy staff activities and is directly responsible for monitoring and managing medication therapy for assigned patients. Routine review of medical orders for appropriateness of the drug, dosage, schedule, duration, and directions. Routine polypharmacy reviews to identify opportunities to reduce medication and therapeutic duplications and enhance patient medication administration compliance. Routine provision of medication and therapeutic consultations for assigned patients. Routine review to monitor and ensure patient compliance and management outcomes regarding medication therapy. Monitoring activities may include the ordering of specific lab tests. Coordinate and provide direct disease state management as a mid-level provider. Routine support for medication formulary compliance, medication conversions, therapy treatment and pathway compliance, and drug utilization evaluations as assigned. Support the medication-related education of medical and non-medical residents, interns, and students as assigned. Participate in the design, implementation, and reporting of clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies and evaluations as assigned. Work Schedule: Hours Vary; Weekends Required Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized