Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (PACT)

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) acts as a representative of the Pharmacy Department, in a variety of positions throughout the Healthcare System. The CPS functions at the highest level of clinical practice and works independently under a scope of practice in practice area(s) based on their knowledge, competencies, clinical experience, and skills. The practice for the CPS consists of direct and indirect patient care, drug therapy monitoring, prescriptive authority, quality assurance/improvement, and staff/patient education.

At least 25% of the CPS’s time is spent performing these high level practice activities.The CPS is specially prepared by education, training, (i.e. advanced degree, licensure, accredited residency, certification, etc.) and clinical experiences to skillfully apply the knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics in the clinical management of patients. The CPS participates in a professional practice evaluation program (ongoing and focused, as appropriate.) The CPS is responsible to the Chief and Associate Chief of Pharmacy Service.

a) The CPS has responsibility for providing pharmaceutical care to optimize patient response and resource utilization.

• Is directly involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned practice areas.
• Is actively involved in reviewing patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with other providers and presents appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed.
• Independently initiates, modifies, or discontinues medication therapy for items other than controlled substances under a scope of practice. Provides patient-specific drug therapy modifications to maximize patient response and minimize drug interactions, adverse drug effects, and polypharmacy while providing cost effective treatment.
• Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient’s drug therapy. Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy.
• Performs physical assessment of patients as appropriate.
• Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to other providers as appropriate.
• Appropriately refers patients to ancillary services as needed.
• Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable.
• Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings according to facility procedures.
• Documents clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriate.

b) Serves as a dedicated member of local, VISN and/or national committees, being a positive representative of the Wilmington VA Pharmacy Department. Accepts assignments for ad hoc committees, teams and workgroups to assist the facility.

c) Plays a role in budgetary execution by working with local clinical staff, as well as national and VISN counterparts to monitor drug use for compliance with formulary, drug use guidelines and treatment guidelines, with particular respect to cost-effective use of available agents. Recommends local and system-wide interventions as necessary to assure efficient usage of resources.

d) Maintains competencies and skills necessary to work in outpatient or inpatient pharmacy if/when the needs of the organization require it.

e) Demonstrates ownership of and possesses expert knowledge in their assigned clinical practice area(s).

f)Precept School of Pharmacy students and residents.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Functional Statement Title/#: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist/000000

Basic Requirements:
U.S. citizenship . Non-citizens may 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.

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.

English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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 .

Grade Determinations: GS-13

Experience:
In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Assignments. Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

1. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. The clinical pharmacy specialist (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 laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following 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, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard. This can also be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Light Lifting (up to 15 lbs); Light Carrying (up to 15 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 2 hours); Standing (up to 1 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Operation motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing (aid permitted); Hearing without aid.

All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):

• Resume

Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s),which may not be required for all applicants:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214
• OF-306
• Other(VA Form 10-2850c )
• Other Veterans Document
• SF-15
• SF-50
• Transcript

Copy of your current registration/certification/licensure (required)

VA Form 10-2850c – Application for Associated Health Occupations ( required ). Available at the VA Forms website: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=10-2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

All current or former Federal Employees – VA and non VA: “Notification of Personnel Action” (SF-50’s) documenting permanent status (career or career-conditional), promotion action to the highest grade held in the federal government, and if applicable, your separation SF-50.

OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.PDF

Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, etc. You will not be contacted for additional information.

Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), or 10pt (CP/CPS, XPP, XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP), on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. A legible copy of your DD214(s) indicating character of service, disability certification, SF-15 (if claiming 10 pt. preference) or if you are currently serving on active duty and expected to be released or discharged within 120 days; documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Documentation is required for eligibility verification.

Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options . The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1951909.

NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.