VISN 10 Non-Formulary Clinical Pharmacist

Full Job Description

The VISN Non-Formulary Clinical Pharmacist holds a position of high visibility and is responsible for adjudicating requests for the VISN 10 Non-Formulary (NF) and Prior Authorization (PA) medication adjudication program.

This individual is required to exercise an advanced level of leadership, communication, organizational skill, independent judgment, and problem-solving ability.

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: Citizenship: 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.) 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 for employment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-11 Pharmacist-Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph above. Assignment.

Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity.

GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist (Full Performance Level)- In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D.

program. Assignment.

A pharmacist in this assignment 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 assigned to this position 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.

Preferred Experience: VA Clinical Pharmacist Experience Non-Formulary Review Experience 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. Physical Requirements: The work is administrative and technical in nature, primarily sedentary.

Work is performed in an office setting and requires the use of numerous communication modalities. Some travel and tour of duty changes are required to meet demands of the position.

Occasional light physical effort may be required. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Duties for the Non-Formulary (NF) Clinical Pharmacist include but are not limited to: Reviews and adjudicates medication requests.

Conducts education with providers at the point of ordering medications with emphasis on providing the most clinically appropriate, safe, and cost-effective treatment to Veterans.

The incumbent will work collaboratively with the VISN Non-Formulary and VISN Clinical Pharmacy Program Managers and establish relationships with clinical and professional staff within VISN 10 (including community care providers) to continually review and implement the safe, cost-effective use of medications.

Collaborates with the VISN 10 NF Program Manager and the VISN 10 Clinical Pharmacy Program Manages to identify any drug shortages related to medication requests.

Collaborates with the VISN 10 NF Program Manager and the VISN 10 Clinical Pharmacy Program Manager to assist with the management of annual PBM cost savings initiatives, including manual and automated conversions as indicated.

Ensures that medication orders and prescriptions are accurately and efficiently entered.

Consults with VISN 10 providers, contracted care providers outside VA for contracted care, and community care providers to obtain information necessary to adjudicate medication requests.

Maintains awareness of and meets VA performance metrics outlined for adjudication of prior authorizations and monitoring parameters.

Promotes and advocates for compliance with the VA National Formulary (VANF) and VA criteria-for-use documents.

Maintains awareness of changes in the Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) Formulary services (e.g., formulary additions and deletions, relevant memoranda, and policies and procedures).

Maintains a good working knowledge of information resources, both written and electronic, as well as therapeutics and disease management areas covered by clinical pharmacy services.

Identifies outcomes that can be improved and assists with the performance improvement process. Assures allergy assessments are completed prior to processing orders related to a medication request.

Serves as a subject matter expert to VISN 10 providers and administration for questions regarding national criteria for use, treatment algorithms and the VA National Formulary.

Forwards any provider appeals of a NF or PA drug request decision appropriately to the VISN 10 facility P&T Chair to ensure timely review and completion of the request.

Participates in the creation of operational and clinical resources for staff. Completes and documents reviews in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) in a timely manner.

Provides support to Network and facility leadership related to EHR implementation and sustainment programs related to pharmacy as needed.

Completes all team workload evaluations by deadlines independently. Work Schedule: Full Time- variable. Telework: Ad-hoc availability, if approved Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91746-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT Authorized. Moving expenses would be covered by employee.

Travel: Required: 50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.