Summary
Serves as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team in the setting of Primary Care as a member of the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The CPS is responsible for providing evidence-based pharmaceutical care service, helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interaction with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams.
Duties
The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) is a licensed pharmacist, preferably with a Pharm.D. or equivalent experience. The CPS is responsible for providing and documenting pharmaceutical care of assigned veterans within PACT programs and providing coverage as needed for unassigned veterans. The CPS serves as an advanced practice provider to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy as outlined in the individual's Scope of Practice. The CPS promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge consistent with policies established at the national, VISN, and local levels. The CPS functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. A CPS plays a defined role in budgetary execution and serves as a mid-level provider who functions to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: 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 lab and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: The individual scope of assigned duties will be dependent upon the CPS provider's education, training, and experience required to perform the functions of the position. All CPS providers will participate in professional practice evaluations. Clinical Functions (25-90%) Functions as an advanced practice provider with a scope of practice (SOP) to provide comprehensive medication management (CMM) for identified VAMC facilities as outlined in VHA Handbook 1109.11, Clinical Pharmacy Services. Core activities outlined within a scope of practice include: Executing therapeutic plans using the safest and most cost-effective medication treatments Performing objective assessments necessary to ensure the patient's appropriate clinical responses to therapy Ordering, subsequent review, and action on appropriate lab tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor, support, and modify the patient's drug therapy Ordering and prescribing medications, vaccines, devices, and supplies to include: initiation, continuation, discontinuation, monitoring, and altering therapy Prescribing or administering controlled substances will be included in the scope of practice only if the CPS is authorized by the DEA and their state licensing board to do so; CPS must also comply with the limitations and restrictions on these authorities Ordering consults and referrals, as appropriate, to maximize positive drug therapy outcomes; examples include, but are not limited to, referrals for routine care or assessment to clinical nutrition professionals, prosthetics, social workers, integrated mental health professionals, or other specialty areas Outpatient Pharmacy Program Management (1-25%): The CPS will be involved in the independent professional practice of pharmacy in accordance with the guidelines set forth in pharmacy service policies and procedures, VA regulations, state and federal laws governing the practice of pharmacy. The CPS will work with clinical Pharmacists, Clinical Pharmacy Practitioners, other CPRs and other healthcare professionals. Activities include: Maintains work flow patterns that assure timely delivery of outpatient ambulatory care pharmacy services, ensures accurate and timely documentation of encounters and follow up orders. May oversee technical and nonprofessional staff. Provides guidance in the processing of prior authorization drug consult requests utilizing national VA PBM criteria for use and local criteria documenting reasons for approval or denial and suggesting alternative preferred therapies where appropriate. Participates in quality improvement activities, pharmacoeconomic initiatives (e.g., drug conversions), committees, and workgroups in support of the pharmacy service strategic plan in all areas of the outpatient pharmacy section. Research/Project Management (1-10%): Contributes to the quality assurance of the MVAHCS Clinical Pharmacy Service. Contributes to research as assigned by Clinical Pharmacy Managers. Contributes to the evaluation plan of the MVAHCS Clinical Pharmacy Service as requested by the Clinical Pharmacy Managers. This will include evaluation of both process and outcome measures. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc ONLY Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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
A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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/.
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.