Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist - Spinal Cord Injury)

Full Job Description

The Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) plans, coordinates, and directs pharmacy programs within the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Pharmacy at Raymond G.

Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM.

The CPP serves as a mid-level provider who initiates, modifies, or discontinues medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services.

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 2 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.

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).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:(1)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.(2)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.(3)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.

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, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, GS-13 Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

At the GS-12 grade level, the clinical pharmacist handles 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; taking 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.

Pharmacists at the GS-12 level must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff.

Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.

Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Additionally, applicants 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.

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-12.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-13. Physical Requirements: the work places no special demands on the employee.

The work includes some walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items such as paper and books. Most of the work is performed while seated. Major Duties:

Clinical Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate.

Provides initial and periodic assessment of medication therapy for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes.

Calculates dosage, monitors and orders laboratory tests for inpatient high risk medications.

Performs monitoring of anticoagulation medications, reviews laboratory tests, and makes recommendation and/or orders dosing adjustments.

Analyzes medication regimens to ensure the most effective, least toxic, and most cost-effective treatment plan.

Participates in daily and weekly multidisciplinary team rounds for medical and rehabilitation patients monitoring renal function, liver function, drug levels, laboratory results, drug/drug and drug/food interactions.

Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed.

Completes and documents 90-day medication reviews for patients enrolled in SCI Home Care. Documents clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriate.

Performs in the drug use evaluations on behalf of national, VISN and local medical center initiatives, for assigned patients as needed.

Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures.

Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable.

Dispensing/Operations Screens and evaluates prescriber's medication orders for appropriateness, dispensing outpatient medication, including controlled substances and investigational drugs based on current pharmacy practice and standards.

Utilizes electronic patient record system to maintain complete patient medication records. Ensures professional standards, regulations, laws and hospital guidelines are met when dispensing medications.

Checks all work performed by technical staff; provides back up for technical staff when necessary. Assists the healthcare team with expedited medication delivery when needed.

Evaluates workflow methods and independently makes changes to minimize patient medication order turnaround time.

Drug Information Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians and students.

Uses appropriate references to research drug information. Has a good working knowledge of information resources, both written and electronic.

Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management.

Education Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists, pharmacy residents, medical residents, and other medical center personnel as required.

Maintains faculty appointment through the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. Instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices.

Is able to adjust communication based on age and developmental considerations. Is able to accurately assess and document patient comprehension.

Is able to refer patients to educational programs provided at the medical center by multidisciplinary teams. Provides education and in-services to Pharmacy and non-Pharmacy staff.

Maintains qualifications as an ASHP preceptor.

Research Works with other health professionals to develop and participate in the implementation of protocols for clinical and health systems research related to pharmacy.

Develops and coordinates clinical research activities and projects to benefit the Pharmacy Service.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday | 7:30AM - 4:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized