Clinical Pharmacy Specialist- Emergency Department

Full Job Description

Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.

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 must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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.

NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.

Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org 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 below 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.

Grade Determinations:GS-13: Experience.

In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level 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: At least two years of experience in Emergency Medicine Pharmacy, Emergency Medicine board certification (BCEMP) and/or PGY-2 in Emergency Medicine.

References: See VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G-15.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Serves as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in the Emergency Department.

Duties Include: Collaborates with ED providers to develop, implement, and maintain systems that promote desirable clinical outcomes through use of safe, cost-effective drug therapies.

Utilizes motivational interview skills with patient, family, caregiver and other healthcare professionals to collect patient-specific data, conduct medication history taking to identify problems and individualize care to complement patient's medication history, formulate a pharmaceutical care plan, and identify additional data needed for medication review assessment and medication reconciliation as part of component provider duties.

Makes dose adjustments and recommendations based on objective laboratory findings, expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Manages acute and chronic disease states under Scope of Practice.

The EMCPS will assess the Veteran, order appropriate labs, analyze and prescribe appropriate medication therapy for optimal outcomes and improve patient access to care.

Manages and participates in post discharge care coordination to ensure appropriate transitions of care from the emergency department setting to the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) clinical pharmacy or other appropriate care when needed.

Reports and assists in medical emergencies and high-risk procedures such as resuscitations, intubations, acute coronary syndromes, stroke, anticoagulation reversal, toxicologic emergencies, disaster management.

The EMCPS procures and prepares medications for administration.

The EMCPS ensures appropriate selection of medications, dosages, and administration, and provides recommendation on routes and dosages for alternatives medications if warranted.

Identifies strategies to improve medication use and safety, participates in root cause analyses or healthcare failure mode and effect analyses related to past medication errors in the ED, guiding staff on methods to reduce potential for errors.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 1:30 PM to 10:00 PM, with rotating weekends and holidays. Tour hours subject to change based on the needs of the service.

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 72285F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact Dustin.Mcdowell@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized