Duties
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Ambulatory Care Psychiatry Services) GS-13
Duties include but are not limited to the following description:
The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and performs duties of a clinical and teaching nature, including direct patient care, routinely functioning with minimal supervision as an independent practitioner operating under a scope of practice. The CPS plays a defined role in budgetary execution and serves as a mid-level provider who has prescribing privileges to evaluate, initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and serves as a consultant for 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 psychiatric assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy.
The CPS will assist with clinical education activities, serve as preceptor to pharmacy students and residents, provide drug information, contribute to Medication Use Evaluation (MMC) and other hospital committees when called upon, and provide drug information/education to patients. Distributive responsibilities will be incurred in this position when appropriate.
Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management
- 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.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm
Telework: Ad-Hoc Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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
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.
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.
- English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
- 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: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.)(2) 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. 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.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations:
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Ambulatory Care Psychiatry Services) GS-13
Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following:
- 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS12)
Functions of the position include but are not limited to:
1. CLINICAL PATIENT CARE SKILLS
- Utilizes the highest level of clinical privileges for Clinical Pharmacy Specialists (CPS) (as authorized by their scope of practice under the appropriate supervision of a physician) to design a therapeutic regimen or plan, based on patient-specific information, which includes establishing a therapeutic endpoint, prescribing an appropriate drug therapy and ordering appropriate laboratory monitoring for effective disease state management.
- The CPS interfaces with providers (including physicians, PAs, APRNs), as well as other services (including Nursing, Social Work, Mental Health, etc.) in the design of a patient-centered treatment regimen to assure that medication therapy is both appropriate and cost-effective. The CPS will independently manage unstable pharmacotherapy patients in his/her pharmacotherapy clinics, improving system efficiency and quality.
- Counsels' patients on proper self-management for their chronic disease states, including optimization of medication adherence, therapeutic lifestyle interventions, and self-monitoring as appropriate (e.g., home blood pressure, self-monitored blood glucose etc.)
2. MEDICATION DISPENSING AND DISTRIBUTION
- Performs all pharmacy distributive functions according to the VHA and local policies to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services in a timely fashion to meet the needs of our patients and medical center staff.
- Exhibits a high degree of accuracy in receiving and processing of prescriptions (manual and electronic).
- Exhibits a high degree of accuracy in all areas of drug accountability (e.g., controlled substances, high risk/high alert drugs).
- Exhibits ability to be highly productive in a professional environment.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
- Participates in the development and enforcement of Pharmacy and Health System policies and procedures.
- Assists in the dissemination and enforcement of guidelines established by the Medication Management Committee (MMC) regarding the use of formulary, non-formulary and restricted drugs.
- Reviews electronically submitted non-formulary drug requests (NFDR) for patients assigned to the area which the specialist is practicing and/or covering. The pharmacist will take into account appropriateness of therapy, cost and adherence to National VA PBM Criteria for Use. Completes review and documents adjudication in CPRS in a timely manner as determined by VISN and National PBM leadership.
- Attends weekly and/or as needed Psychiatry Clinic meetings.
4. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- Creates an environment to stimulate, encourage, and support the participation of pharmacy personnel in providing drug information to VACT staff and other facilities as deemed appropriate.
- Acts as a source of drug information for health professionals in the Psychiatry clinics through direct response to specific inquiries concerning medications and therapy.
- Performs in-service training to health care professionals as scheduled at the direction of the Associate Service Chief of Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Services and/or Chief of Pharmacy.
- Provides highly specialized education and training support to other health care professional services in the area of Psychiatry.
5. RESEARCH AND QUALITY
- Serves as a preceptor of residents' research projects as assigned.
- Participates in the development of administrative and clinical pharmacy research protocols, activities, or projects which may ultimately serve to upgrade the quality of patient care by the VA Healthcare System.
- Participates in the preparation of articles for publication of results of such research activity.
- In cooperation with clinical section staff and other health professionals, collects and analyzes data related to ongoing clinical programs and presents it either at national meetings or publishes it in professionally representative publications.
6. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
- In all contact with patients, relatives, staff members and other individuals dealing with the Medical Center, the pharmacist demonstrates a concerned, compassionate and helpful attitude to enhance a positive image of the Medical Center and the VA system.
- Develops and promotes a "can do" resourcefulness helping patients, relatives, staff members and others within and between services by providing information in a professional, dependable, reliable and timely manner to facilitate accomplishing deadlines.
Preferred Experience:
- PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency
- PGY2 Pharmacy Practice Residency in Mental Health
- PharmD Degree
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (1 hour); pushing (1 hour) reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours); standing (2 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this
checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/04/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12603483.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.