Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Mental Health)

Duties

The City of Loma Linda is a scenic community located within eyesight of the towering peaks of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains.
Loma Linda is located approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles in San Bernardino County. While it is near the highly developed job market of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, it does provide a small town setting for your home, work or recreation. Adjacent to California's Interstate 10 freeway, Loma Linda is freeway close to beaches, mountains and desert resorts.
At VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, our health care teams are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist/Practitioner (CPP) duties include but are not limited to:

• Acts as an independent provider operating under a scope of practice and providing expertise to other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Provides medication management services to include, but not limited to, development of treatment goals, assessment and management of symptoms, assessing adherence, and scheduling follow up visits.
• Conducts patient interviews to include, but not limited to, medical history, medication reconciliation, assessment and treatment planning.
• Conducts standardized Mental Health exams and questionnaires as appropriate for side effect and symptom monitoring.
• Documents all patient interactions and assessments in the medical record promptly and accurately.
• Ensures safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients, in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Communicates regularly with the veteran's treatment team members concerning the ongoing management of the veteran.
• Interacts directly with patients by evaluating each patient's ability to understand medication instruction and providing oral and written counseling as appropriate on his/her disease state and drug therapy.
• Reviews medications and allergies for accuracy, appropriateness, safety, and interactions.
• Orders labs for monitoring of medications and side effects, and adjust medications based on treatment guidelines and patient status within scope of practice.
• Records incidences of clinical impact on patient where interaction with physicians and/or nurses has positively affected the patient's course of therapy.
• Makes recommendations to change, delete or add to the current medication regimen as appropriate to optimize the cost/benefit ratio of the regimen within the guidelines of the P&T Committee, the Preferred Drug Program, treatment protocols, and our network formulary. Notes all changes in the patient's medical record.
• Discontinues medications that are no longer needed by the patient, that are an unnecessary duplication of therapy, or that are causing untoward side effects. Communicates changes to the patient's provider appropriately.
• Provides input to the Pharmacy Service Chief and other Pharmacy supervisors in establishing and accomplishing the Pharmacy's missions and goals.
• Contributes to planning, maintaining, expanding, and coordinating all Clinical Pharmacy activities in their area of assignment.
• Participates in pharmacy clinical administrative tasks including, but not limited to, clinic maintenance and profile management.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• 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.

  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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  

  • Resume

  
  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 (VA)
  • License
  • VA Form 10-2850C
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

  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 04/01/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12348258.

  • 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.

  Agency contact information

  Michelle Covert

  Phone

  3852017032

  Email

  michelle.covert@va.gov

  Address

  Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital
  11201 Benton Street
  Loma Linda, CA 92357
  US

  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.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to: 1) Current, Permanent Employees of VA Loma Linda; 2) Current, Permanent Employees of Department of Veterans Affairs; 3) Current, Permanent Employees of other Federal Agencies. 4) Current PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy residency trainees are encouraged to apply to this position. 5) All other qualified U.S. Citizens.