Summary
The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) in Infectious Diseases (ID) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (ASP) provides evidence-based medication therapy management, delivers direct patient care, consults with providers, manages drug therapy per national and local policies, and ensures continuity of care across inpatient, outpatient, Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT), and telehealth settings, following patients until therapeutic goals are met.
Duties
Major duties include: Clinical Duties Evaluate OPAT therapy at discharge and apply Home Care Standards. Design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans; provide direct patient and provider consultation. Review medication regimens for effectiveness, safety, and interactions; communicate recommendations. Interpret labs, identify abnormalities, and make pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic-based dose adjustments. Support telehealth services, including remote assessments and emergency management. Document clinical interventions in CPRS promptly and obtain detailed medication histories. Conduct drug use evaluations for national, VISN, and local initiatives. Optimize patient-specific therapy to improve outcomes and minimize risks; refer to physicians when needed. Order, analyze, and follow up on labs and diagnostic tests; adjust therapy plans accordingly. Monitor and report drug errors, adverse reactions, allergies, and compliance issues. Review prior authorization drug requests for appropriateness. Promote compliance with drug therapy policies and collaborate with providers to meet national, VISN, and local standards. Serve on committees at the medical center, VISN, or national level. Education and Research Provide training and in-service education for medical, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health staff. Educate patients and families on medication and device use; assess comprehension and refer to multidisciplinary programs. Apply effective written and verbal communication in teaching. Assist with new employee orientation and development of new or improved pharmacy services. Design and conduct clinical research within scope of practice. Train new pharmacy staff and serve as a preceptor for students and residents. Manage pharmacy residency programs and maintain ASHP accreditation when responsible. Support and promote pharmacy team involvement in facility-based education, veteran care programs, and professional presentations. Participate in state, regional, and national professional organizations. Drug Information Serve as an authority on drug usage, interactions, overdoses, and compliance. Maintain current knowledge of written and electronic drug information resources. Stay up-to-date on therapeutics and disease management. Provide timely and accurate responses to drug information requests. Safety Follow all safety and environmental regulations. Use and maintain required personal protective equipment. Report all accidents or illnesses promptly. Identify and report unsafe workplace conditions and assist in correcting them. Leadership and Dependability Provide leadership and guidance during supervisory absences and support patient care operations. Serve as a liaison between service line leadership, pharmacy management, medical staff, and pharmacy personnel. Identify opportunities to enhance pharmacy services and communicate them to supervisors. Organizational Presentation and Regulatory Responsibilities Coordinate the hospital's antibiotic stewardship program with Infectious Diseases leadership. Represent Pharmacy Services professionally, prioritizing the needs of the Pharmacy Service and ID/ASP programs. Support compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., TJC, OIG) related to patient safety and care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m Telework: Ad-hoc per agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD54174F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Accreditation Information: 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: ACPE. (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). Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Note: If your school was accredited by ACPE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACPE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.