Summary

Delivers evidence-based comprehensive medication management through direct patient care and as part of the interdisciplinary team.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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 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
• 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
• 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
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration - that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - GS-13 Experience
• In addition to the GS-12 requirements (1 year experience at the GS-11 level or completion of an ACPE-accredited PharmD program) - must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of 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
• Preferred Experience: PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency
• Board Certification References: Pharmacist Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of examination.

Duties

• Delivers evidence-based comprehensive medication management (CMM) through direct patient care and is part of the interdisciplinary team
• Incorporates a personalized - proactive - patient-driven approach to care that empowers and equips Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being and to live their life to the fullest in accordance with overall VA initiatives
• 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
• Deprescribing where clinically indicated
• Helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes (e.g. - establishing and progressing towards individualized function-related goals - improving quality of life - minimizing theoretical risk of drug- related harm) through direct and indirect interactions with patients - providers - and interdisciplinary teams Performing physical assessments
• implementing risk mitigation strategies and ordering laboratory (e.g. - PGx panels - therapeutic drug monitoring - etc.) and other tests to help maximize efficacy and prevent the toxicity of medication therapy
• Manages medication therapy by initiating - modifying - and/or discontinuing medication both independently and in collaboration with other practitioners when needed with exception of Control Substance prescribing
• Follows patients in direct care settings to achieve therapeutic goals and make referrals to optimize patient outcomes and treatment success
• Refers to the appropriate level of care for patients when needed and is responsible for providing and documenting care of assigned patients
• Knowledgeable of VA/DOD clinical practice guidelines - The Joint Commission (TJC) standards - Veterans Affairs (VA) performance measures - VA Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) initiatives and will integrate these standards into practice
• Participates as a subject matter expert on pain-related committees at the local facility level (e.g. - Opioid Safety Initiative committee)
• Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists - pharmacy technicians - pharmacy students - pharmacy residents - and other staff on assigned teams
• Work Schedule: 8:00-4:30 Monday-Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized