Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Inpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration•Martinsburg, WV

10d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Pharmacy Service of the Martinsburg, West Virginia Veteran Affairs Medical Center. The Inpatient Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) is an advanced practice provider who works independently with prescribing privileges defined by the individual's Scope of Practice for Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner. The CPP provides mental health and substance use disorder pharmacotherapy and evaluates medication therapy through direct patient care on the acute mental health unit. Through clinical assessment, the CPP evaluates patient responses to medication therapy, communicates and documents findings, and makes and documents recommendations to appropriate individuals. Medication therapy management includes selecting appropriate medications for disease-state management, monitoring patient outcomes, analyzing adverse drug events, and performing medication reconciliation. The CPP also provides comprehensive discharge services, including medication reconciliation and education. Indirect patient care activities include pharmacy benefits management, teaching, quality assurance, medication utilization review, and staff development. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, either 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. It is not a virtual position; telework is ad hoc. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. The full performance level is GS-13. The selected employee must serve a two-year trial period.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
Graduate from an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and/or Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Foreign pharmacy graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including the required FPGEE and TOEFL iBT results.
Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and maintain current registration if required for licensure.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12), in addition to GS-12 requirements.
Demonstrated professional pharmacy practice experience, including medication-order review, medication therapy recommendations, identification and resolution of medication-related problems, provider communication, documentation, medication reconciliation, drug information, formulary management, adverse drug event assessment, emergency assistance, and oversight of medication-distribution technical staff.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for the program area.
Ability to solve problems and coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in the program area or clinical specialty.
Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or pharmacy specialty.
Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, required identification and onboarding, pre-employment physical examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
Serve a two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after its completion.

Responsibilities

Provide mental health and substance use disorder pharmacotherapy and evaluate medication therapy through direct patient care on the acute mental health unit.
Assess patient responses to medication therapy, communicate and document findings, and make and document recommendations to appropriate individuals.
Select appropriate medications for disease-state management and monitor patient outcomes.
Analyze adverse drug events and perform medication reconciliation.
Provide comprehensive discharge services, including medication reconciliation and medication education.
Perform indirect patient care activities, including pharmacy benefits management, teaching, quality assurance, medication utilization review, and staff development.
Work independently as an advanced practice provider within prescribing privileges outlined in the individual's Scope of Practice.
Treat patients, team members, facility employees, and visitors respectfully; respond courteously and in a timely manner; and contribute supportively to team goals and productivity.