at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Bloomington, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) functions as a CPS in ambulatory care for Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) from the VA Danville Illiana Health Care System’s Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) located in Bloomington, Illinois. The PACT-CPS serves as a mid-level provider with prescribing privileges and functions at the highest level of clinical pharmacy practice to provide pharmaceutical care services through direct care with patients and consultation with other providers on their team. Responsibilities Duties Include: Face-to-face comprehensive medication management of PACT patients Same day face-to-face PACT patient visits (such as patient medication reviews for comprehensive medication management, recent hospital discharges, and dual care management) Virtual care modality visits, such as: Veteran requests through secure messaging, telephone-based care, clinical video telehealth, and VA Video Connect Shared medical appointments or group education clinics Team or multidisciplinary patient care rounds or meetings The PACT-CPS has the authority to order medications without co-signature of a physician. Functions independently under scope of defined by the health care system for selected disease states to provide pharmaceutical care of 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 PACT. Obtains medication histories from patients, and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the PACT provider, as appropriate. Applies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities. Advises PACT provider on aspects of clinical pharmacokinetics as it pertains to the monitoring of serum plasma concentrations and its relationship to patient response. Also, advises PACT provider as to how to individualize dosing of selected medications based on interpretation of these serum levels. Counsels patients regarding their medications(s) in accordance to federal and state requirements, VA standards, and pharmacy best practices. Teaches staff and patients on a wide range of medical subjects. Teaching may be in regularly scheduled classes or may include presenting lectures, preparing hand-outs, giving demonstrations, newsletters, or the means available. Provides accurate and thorough drug information to the pharmacy and clinical staff in a timely manner. Completes peer reviews in an accurate and timely manner Completes competency requirements in an accurate and timely manner Maintains a current and active pharmacist license, scope of practice, and BLS certification. 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 with includes scheduling, reviewing consults, providing patient care, and assuring coverage for the clinic at all times. Coordinates with the pharmacy and clinical staff to maintain the medical center drug formulary. This will include preparation of drug and cost comparisons for presentation to clinical staff. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:45 am – 4:15 pm Telework: May be 3 days per pay period, as determined by the position supervisor Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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 (PharmD) degree. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy. Note 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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Note: You must provide a legible copy of your transcripts with your application package to receive consideration. Grade Determinations: GS-13 Experience/Education: Must possess at least one (1) full year of creditable experience at the next lower level (GS-12) or equivalent, which is directly related to the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist position which includes designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments; helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; performing physical assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy; OR must have completed 1 year Post Pharm D. ASHP accredited Residency. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15, This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Preferred Experience: PGY-1 Residency+/- PGY-2 Residency Experience with a Scope of Practice Board Certification Physical Requirements: Light lifting under 15 pounds, use of fingers, extended periods of sitting, both hands required, walking some hours, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13’
