Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Geriatrics (Home Based Primary Care)

Full Job Description

Home Based Primary Care, provides advanced clinical pharmacy services focused on older adults through direct patient care, medication optimization, and interdisciplinary consultation across inpatient, outpatient, home-based, and palliative settings.

Manages drug therapy per evidence and policy, supports formulary and safety initiatives, uses telehealth, and contributes to program goals, education, and quality improvement within a team-based care model and continuity of care across sites VA.

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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).

GS-13 Grade Determinations: Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12).

Examples of GS-12 experience includes: handling routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations.

These include, but are not limited to: reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; trucing health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution, OR, Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D.

program. Qualified candidates must demonstrate 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: PE 1.

PGY2 Residency in Geriatrics, Ambulatory Care, Internal Medicine, or Pharmacotherapy PE 2.

Board Certification in Geriatrics, Ambulatory Care, and/or Pharmacotherapy thru the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties PE 3.

1 year clinical pharmacy direct patient care experience in Geriatrics or Ambulatory Care functioning under a scope of practice within the past 18 months Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8 hours); Standing (8 hours); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (4 hours); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Specific visual requirement (DVA Correctable to 20/40); Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted) Major Duties:

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Provides direct patient care as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with prescriptive authority within Geriatrics and Extended Care, delivering comprehensive medication management through assessment, initiation, modification, and deprescribing of pharmacotherapy to achieve individualized therapeutic outcomes in older adults.

Manages complex medication regimens in geriatric patients with multiple chronic conditions, polypharmacy, and age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations, using patient-specific clinical data and objective laboratory findings to optimize therapy and minimize risk.

Performs medication reconciliation, obtains and documents complete medication histories, and coordinates follow-up care across GEC settings to support continuity of care and reduce medication-related complications.

Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members including physicians, nursing, social work, and rehabilitation staff to develop and implement patient-centered treatment plans, communicating clinical recommendations and therapeutic alternatives as appropriate.

Educates patients, caregivers, and staff regarding medication use, monitoring parameters, adherence strategies, and safety considerations relevant to geriatric populations.

Orders, reviews, and interprets laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor medication therapy, with timely intervention based on results and clinical status.

Monitors for and documents adverse drug reactions, medication errors, allergies, and adherence concerns, with emphasis on medication safety in older adults and those with functional or cognitive impairment.

Provides telehealth and remote medication management services to improve access to care and continuity for Veterans receiving GEC services across care settings.

Participates in medication use evaluations, formulary management processes, prior authorization review, and implementation of medication safety initiatives and drug therapy policies affecting geriatric populations.

Contributes to quality improvement and performance initiatives focused on safe, effective, and cost-conscious medication use in Geriatrics and Extended Care programs.

Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees, workgroups, or interdisciplinary teams related to geriatric care, medication management, or patient safety.

Documents clinical care, recommendations, and interventions in the electronic health record in a timely and professional manner consistent with institutional standards.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc only, as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 53995 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized