As a clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) for Mental Health (MH) Service, the MH-CPS serves as a midlevel provider with prescribing privileges per the individual's scope of practice. The MH-CPS provides evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through direct care with patients, and consultation with other providers on their team. This pharmacist promotes and manages drug therapy consistent with policies and guidelines established at the national, VISN, and local levels. 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. - Must be proficient in spoken and written English. - EDUCATION: Must be a Graduate of (or pending graduation from) 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. OR Must be a Graduate of a foreign pharmacy degree programs that meet the educational requirement and 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). (DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED) LICENSURE: Must possess (or will possess) a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory or Common wealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.(MUST PROVIDE A COPY with your application) 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: GS-13 Level: You must have at least one (1) year of creditable experience (including relevant ASHP residency experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level which is directly related to the Pain Management Clinical Pharmacy Specialist position which includes, 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 have demonstrated the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. e. 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-2 residency in mental health References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts, which requires that employee follows safety practices and regulations. The employee works in close proximity to patients, and is therefore, exposed to communicable diseases. ["As primary provider in the Pharmacy MH clinics, evaluates patients and monitors response to treatment. Makes changes in therapy as needed, depending on assessment of appropriate laboratory and clinical monitors. Also recommends patients for referral, when presenting with other medical signs and symptoms, to appropriate clinic. Educates patients on their chronic disease treatment with respect to compliance and dietary restrictions, heightening awareness of toxicity and interactions with other medications. Serves as the primary provider to consult to other VA providers in practice area on the appropriate VA National Formulary medications to consider for MH patients that are choosing to transfer their care to VA or during transitions of care. Same day face-to-face comprehensive medication management of MH patients and MH patient visits (such as patient medication reviews for comprehensive medication management, recent hospital discharges, and dual care management). Using general Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT) certification and expertise in video tele-MH patient assessment, conducts virtual care modality visits, such as: Veteran requests through secure messaging, telephone-based care, and clinical video telehealth. Exercises the authority as MH-CPS to order medications without co-signature of a physician. Functions independently under scope of practice as defined by the health care system for selected disease states to provide pharmaceutical care to patients. This includes but is not limited to the design, implementation, and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in MH. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the MH provider, as appropriate. Advises MH provider on aspects of clinical pharmacokinetics as it pertains to the monitoring of serum plasma concentrations and its relationship to patient response. Also, advises MH provider as to how to individualize dosing of selected medications based on interpretation of these serum levels. Assists with MU Es and other PNT activities related to MH. Attends MH multi-disciplinary team meetings on a routine basis, except for times when clinic coverage does not allow. Manages pharmacy MH clinics in accordance with clinic procedures. This will involve such clinical processes as patient examination, medical record review, ordering and reviewing lab tests, and provider consultation. Teaches staff and patients on a wide range of medical subjects Education of clinical Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE), Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students, and Postgraduate Year One (PGYl) pharmacy residents. Regularly schedules in-service educational programs for the pharmacy staff, as well as provider staff in MH. 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. Responsible for management of pharmacy clinics which includes scheduling, reviewing consults, providing patient care, and assuring coverage for the clinic at all times. As directed by Chief of Pharmacy, is responsible for constant monitoring of the hospital formulary, with particular respect to cost effective management of the use of available therapeutic agents. This includes the utilization of computerized monitoring systems combined with incumbent clinical drug knowledge to constantly monitor drug usage, and make recommendations for formulary changes when deemed necessary to assure optimal usage of drug resources. Work Schedule: 0745-1615 Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be paid to a Highly Qualified candidate. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
