Clinical Pharmacist - PACT

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: 1) 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: ... - or through their Web site at:
• (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program
• Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) OR (2) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the 2 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
• The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full - current - and unrestricted licensure
• A pharmacist who has - or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16
• English Language Proficiency
• Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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
• 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: 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: PGY2 Ambulatory Care - PGY1 with experience in chronic disease management including diabetes - hypertension - Hyperlipidemia etc
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be a mature - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - demonstrating cheerfulness - compassion - courtesy and concern for staff and patients
• Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities that require a scope of practice Core functions include patient encounters for comprehensive medication management of complex patients with chronic diseases including - but not limited to - diabetes - hypertension - hyperlipidemia - smoking cessation - pain management - hepatitis C - and osteoporosis
• Urgent or same day face-to-face patient visits including but not limited to patient medication review for polypharmacy - recent hospital discharges - and co-managed care patients
• Functions as a mid-level provider to design - implement - and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas
• Orders - 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 including changes in medication therapy - referral to primary care or specialty provider
• Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy - i.e
• changes in medication therapy - monitoring - and additional testing requirements
• Clinical pharmacy specialists will determine if a referral to the physician is necessary when disease progression occurs or adverse drug events require treatment interventions
• Physical assessment Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities Review patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness - drug selection - dosing - contraindications - side effects - potential drug interactions - and therapeutic outcomes as required
• Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed
• Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate
• Monitor and report drug errors - adverse drug reactions - allergies - and patient compliance issues
• Documents findings per facility procedures
• Actively participates in the VAADERS Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting program
• Apply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care - recognizes significant abnormalities - and make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings
• Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable
• Assists Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee with medication use evaluations and other safety initiatives
• Documents clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriate
• Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies
• Works with providers to ensure compliance with national - VISN - and local initiatives
• Reviews and verifies medication orders for appropriateness and to reduce potential risk of adverse drug events
• Education Participates in self-development activities to maintain and increase professional competence
• Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists - pharmacy technicians - pharmacy students - pharmacy residents - and other medical center personnel as required
• Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others
• May serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents in accordance with established protocols
• Assists in new employee orientation sessions as scheduled
• Assists in the development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy services
• Program Management Willing to serve on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested
• Adheres to all medical center and department policies and regulations
• Drug Information 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
• Has a good working knowledge of information resources - both written and electronic
• Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management
• Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers
• Effectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices
• Is able to adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations
• Is able to accurately assess and document patient comprehension
• Work Schedule: M-F - 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: AD-Hoc Telework may be approved
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 571040 Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact ... - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized