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This position is located within the Pharmacy Service at the Birmingham VA Health Care System to provide Medication Management as a midlevel provider. The primary responsibility of this Clinical Pharmacist Specialist (CPS) is coordination and provision of direct patient care via medication management, including Primary Care and/or Subspecialty Care areas for patients of the Birmingham VAHS and outlying clinics. This position's current assignment will focus on specializing in Neurology.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to current, permanent VHA employee's ONLY. (SF-50 is required)
Videos
Duties
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws
FUNCTIONS/SCOPE OF DUTIES:
A. ClinicalDirect Patient Care that requires a Scope of Practice
1) Responsible for providing direct patient-care medication management performed with the efficiency and depth of an experienced clinical pharmacist Specialist (CPS) in complex patients per approved scope of practice.
2) Designs, implements, monitors, and evaluates patient-specific pharmacotherapy plans to achieve defined outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Implements or recommends corrective actions to providers and documents in CPRS as appropriate for areas including but not limited to the following:
a. Appropriate laboratory monitoring parameters.
b. Drug-drug interactions and co morbidities.
c. Duplication of therapy.
d. Medication side effects.
e. Appropriate dosing regimens.
f. Absence of an essential medication.
g. Drug allergies.
h. Occurrence of adverse events.
i. Risk mitigation (i.e., Pharmacogenomics).
3) Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy.
4) 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.
5) CPP will determine if a referral to the physician is necessary when disease progression occurs, or adverse drug events require treatment interventions outside of the CPS scope of practice.
6) Demonstrates expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and competent to make appropriate dose adjustments based on objective laboratory findings, as allowed by an approved scope of practice.
7) Provides advanced pharmacology and therapeutic consultation on formal and informal basis concerning drug information to physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team.
B. Clinical-Indirect Patient Care Activities
1) Coordinates and/or performs medication reconciliation for patients with scheduled face-to-face or telehealth appointments as related to medication management and/or transitions of care where required.
2) Provides formulary management support through consult review and team collaboration.
3) Provides e-consult support to various services for medication recommendations.
4) Identifies patients via population management dashboards who may benefit from Comprehensive Medication Management based on clinical parameters or identified risk.
5) Monitors, reports, and assists with resolution of drug errors, adverse drug reactions, and medication allergies.
6) Identifies and analyzes medication errors and trends. Reviews ADE's for impact on patient care and recommends corrective actions and methods of prevention.
7) Promotes cost-effective medication use that is consistent with national, VISN, and local policy (e.g., formulary vs. nonformulary, prior authorization). 8) Provides written and/or verbal education on complex drug regimens as appropriate based on cognitive, physical, emotional, educational needs of the patient.
C. Education & Research
1) The pharmacist serves as adjunct instructor to approved schools of pharmacy. Individually precepts Doctor of Pharmacy advanced practice students and pharmacy residents.
2) The pharmacist provides lectures and educational material to medical students and residents, nurses, physicians, and other related healthcare professionals and trainees.
3) The pharmacist serves as pharmacy liaison for drug research activities for the medical center and associated clinics.
D. Drug Information
1) 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.
2) Has a good working knowledge of information resources, both written and electronic.
3) Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management.
4) Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers.
E. Program Management
1) Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested.
2) Produces committee reports as requested.
3) Completes Medication Use Evaluation reviews as requested.
4) Serves on Performance Improvement teams as requested.
Preferred Experience: The highly qualified candidate will be residency trained with direct patient care experience in neurology. Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialists preferred. First consideration given to current employees of the Birmingham VA Health Care System.
Work Schedule: 8-hour shift between the hours of 6AM to 6PM
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
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:
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: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. To be creditable, experience must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (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.
Additional Special Qualifications:
References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G-15 and FS 53229
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include, but are not limited to: significant computer work/typing, prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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 reg...
This position is located within the Pharmacy Service at the Birmingham VA Health Care System to provide Medication Management as a midlevel provider. The primary responsibility of this Clinical Pharmacist Specialist (CPS) is coordination and provision of direct patient care via medication management, including Primary Care and/or Subspecialty Care areas for patients of the Birmingham VAHS and outlying clinics. This position's current assignment will focus on specializing in Neurology.
This job is open to
- Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of this agency.
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to current, permanent VHA employee's ONLY. (SF-50 is required)
Videos
Duties
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws
FUNCTIONS/SCOPE OF DUTIES:
A. ClinicalDirect Patient Care that requires a Scope of Practice
1) Responsible for providing direct patient-care medication management performed with the efficiency and depth of an experienced clinical pharmacist Specialist (CPS) in complex patients per approved scope of practice.
2) Designs, implements, monitors, and evaluates patient-specific pharmacotherapy plans to achieve defined outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Implements or recommends corrective actions to providers and documents in CPRS as appropriate for areas including but not limited to the following:
a. Appropriate laboratory monitoring parameters.
b. Drug-drug interactions and co morbidities.
c. Duplication of therapy.
d. Medication side effects.
e. Appropriate dosing regimens.
f. Absence of an essential medication.
g. Drug allergies.
h. Occurrence of adverse events.
i. Risk mitigation (i.e., Pharmacogenomics).
3) Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy.
4) 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.
5) CPP will determine if a referral to the physician is necessary when disease progression occurs, or adverse drug events require treatment interventions outside of the CPS scope of practice.
6) Demonstrates expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and competent to make appropriate dose adjustments based on objective laboratory findings, as allowed by an approved scope of practice.
7) Provides advanced pharmacology and therapeutic consultation on formal and informal basis concerning drug information to physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team.
B. Clinical-Indirect Patient Care Activities
1) Coordinates and/or performs medication reconciliation for patients with scheduled face-to-face or telehealth appointments as related to medication management and/or transitions of care where required.
2) Provides formulary management support through consult review and team collaboration.
3) Provides e-consult support to various services for medication recommendations.
4) Identifies patients via population management dashboards who may benefit from Comprehensive Medication Management based on clinical parameters or identified risk.
5) Monitors, reports, and assists with resolution of drug errors, adverse drug reactions, and medication allergies.
6) Identifies and analyzes medication errors and trends. Reviews ADE's for impact on patient care and recommends corrective actions and methods of prevention.
7) Promotes cost-effective medication use that is consistent with national, VISN, and local policy (e.g., formulary vs. nonformulary, prior authorization). 8) Provides written and/or verbal education on complex drug regimens as appropriate based on cognitive, physical, emotional, educational needs of the patient.
C. Education & Research
1) The pharmacist serves as adjunct instructor to approved schools of pharmacy. Individually precepts Doctor of Pharmacy advanced practice students and pharmacy residents.
2) The pharmacist provides lectures and educational material to medical students and residents, nurses, physicians, and other related healthcare professionals and trainees.
3) The pharmacist serves as pharmacy liaison for drug research activities for the medical center and associated clinics.
D. Drug Information
1) 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.
2) Has a good working knowledge of information resources, both written and electronic.
3) Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management.
4) Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers.
E. Program Management
1) Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested.
2) Produces committee reports as requested.
3) Completes Medication Use Evaluation reviews as requested.
4) Serves on Performance Improvement teams as requested.
Preferred Experience: The highly qualified candidate will be residency trained with direct patient care experience in neurology. Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialists preferred. First consideration given to current employees of the Birmingham VA Health Care System.
Work Schedule: 8-hour shift between the hours of 6AM to 6PM
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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: Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
- 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 or Graduate of a foreign pharmacy degree program that meets the educational requirement and can 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. I have a 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.
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: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. To be creditable, experience must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (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.
Additional Special Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate orally to individuals and groups of people in person while at conferences, via video-conferencing and during teleconferences
- Ability to communicate in writing for a variety of purposes including the preparation of reports and analysis, publications, and newsletters
- Ability to organize projects of broad scope and objective without the use of established methods and procedures
- Knowledge of VA National Center for Patient Safety reporting systems
- Knowledge of pharmacy automated dispensing devices and equipment
- Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique
- Knowledge of basic inventory procedures Knowledge of pharmacy information systems.
References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G-15 and FS 53229
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include, but are not limited to: significant computer work/typing, prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
- 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 reg...
