This individual serves as a provider with prescribing privileges as outlined in the individual's scope of practice for the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) in Mental Health/Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program to provide comprehensive medication therapy management (MTM). The primary responsibility of the CPS is the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through direct care with patients and consultation with other providers on their team. 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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. 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). NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. ? 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. Exception. Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed. Failure to Obtain License. In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment. 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). Grandfathering Provision: All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-660 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.(3) If a licensed pharmacist who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Preferred Experience: We are seeking a highly motivated applicant who has completed a PGY2 Pharmacy Residency in Mental Health or Psychiatry or who has equivalent experience. Grade Determinations: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Candidates must also demonstrate all of the following technical 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: See VA Handbook 5005/55 PART II APPENDIX G15 LICENSED PHARMACIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-660 Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: This position will perform work in a variety of settings. Long periods of standing or sitting may be required. Pharmacist will have frequent interruptions to work, and these are to be expected. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities that require a scope of practice. 1) Works through the collaborative care model improving access to coordinated mental health care while providing Veteran-centered, recovery-oriented, evidence-based treatment. 2) Functions as a mid-level provider with prescribing privileges as outlined in the individual's Scope of Practice to design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. 3) Assist with screening patients, provide induction, and maintenance of medication assisted treatment (MAT) models for substance use disorder. 4) Core functions include face-to-face, clinical video tele-health, and telephone encounters with referred patients, for comprehensive medication management in practice areas identified in their individual scope of practice. 5) Interviews and/or evaluates mental health patients for appropriateness of pharmacological therapy and makes a pharmaceutical care plan for those who need pharmaceutical care and documents the care plan in the pharmacy initial assessment or progress note. 6) Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. 7) Follows-up with patients on laboratory or test results to discuss the plan of therapy, i.e. changes in medication therapy, monitoring, and additional testing requirements. 8) Assists with determining if a referral to other medical service is necessary when comorbidities interfere with mental health treatment or when disease progression occurs, or adverse drug events require treatment interventions outside of the CPS scope of practice. Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities 1) Identify patients who may benefit from comprehensive medication management through population management reports and during team huddles. 2) 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. 3) Monitor and report drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. 4) Apply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognizes significant abnormalities, and makes dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. 5) Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. 6) Assists Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee with medication use evaluations and other safety initiatives. 7) Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies. 8) Documents clinical interventions in the electronic health record in a timely manner and professional manner as appropriate. 9) Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Education and Research 1) Participates in the training and education of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other staff on assigned teams. 2) Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others. 3) Serves as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents in accordance with established policies. 4) Assists in new employee orientation, competency assessments, and mentoring as required. 5) Serves as preceptor for resident's projects as assigned. Drug Information 1) Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance, to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, and trainees. 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. 5) Effectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Adjusts communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Accurately assesses and documents patient comprehension. Refers patients to educational programs provided at the health care system by multidisciplinary teams. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00a-4:30p Telework: Ad-hoc telework permitted Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
