Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Anticoagulation/Cardiology)

Veterans Health Administration • Poplar Bluff, MO

3d

About The Position

This Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) functions at the highest level of clinical practice, working independently under the scope of practice established by the medical center to provide direct patient care. The position divides time between the Anticoagulation service and Cardiology, with a focus on guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure.

In Anticoagulation, the CPP coordinates, develops, manages, and controls pharmacy practice programs for the Anticoagulation Clinic. The role includes monitoring anticoagulants, supporting pharmacy student experiential learning, independently managing anticoagulation therapy for assigned patients, and supervising technical support personnel to ensure efficient clinic operations and quality indicators are met.

In Cardiology, the CPP coordinates, develops, manages, and controls the pharmacy practice program for the cardiology clinic. The CPP independently manages heart failure patients upon referral and may manage other chronic cardiovascular conditions upon referral as appropriate.

The CPP provides medication therapy management by initiating, modifying, and monitoring pharmaceutical care plans for conditions managed in primary care. The role includes assessing medication regimens using medical records, interdisciplinary communications, and patient interviews or examinations as appropriate; evaluating medication-related issues using treatment guidelines, evidence-based medicine, patient factors, formulary considerations, and sound medical and pharmaceutical practices; and making direct medication changes within scope. The CPP monitors therapeutic and adverse effects, orders laboratory tests as needed, recommends medication adjustments to responsible providers for conditions outside the consulted scope, and refers patients to providers or specialists when necessary. The CPP educates patients and caregivers, communicates treatment plans and therapeutic endpoints to primary care providers, and consults with providers on intensive medication therapy management.

The position also provides general educational programs and patient-specific evaluations and recommendations, conducts in-service education for providers, nursing, pharmacy staff, and others as assigned, and supplies medical center staff with accurate, comprehensive drug information. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining current knowledge of service changes, professional practice standards, and the requirements, policies, and procedures of VHA, DEA, FDA, OIG, JC, and other regulators.

The generally scheduled tour is 08:00–16:30 Monday through Friday, 07:00–15:30 on Saturday and Sunday, and 08:00–16:30 on holidays. The tour may be adjusted to meet patient care needs and may range from 07:00 to 18:30. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree; transcript required.
• Foreign pharmacy degree graduates must provide FPGEC Certification, including passing the FPGEE and TOEFL iBT.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration if required for licensure.
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12).
• 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 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 drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and undergo a background/security investigation; applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment after the trial period.
• Physical ability to perform routine pharmacy functions involving computer work and typing, prescription order entry and processing, and patient contact; lift and carry up to 50 pounds; and stand or sit in one place for considerable time.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of post-graduate residency with an ASHP-accredited program.
• Advanced certification through a nationally recognized pharmacy board, such as the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.
• Experience managing (dosing and monitoring) anticoagulants and/or cardiologic conditions, including complex hypertension and heart failure.

Responsibilities

• Divide work between the Anticoagulation service and Cardiology, focusing on guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure.
• Coordinate, develop, manage, and control pharmacy practice programs for the Anticoagulation Clinic and cardiology clinic.
• Monitor anticoagulants and independently manage anticoagulation therapy for assigned patients.
• Manage heart failure patients upon referral and other chronic cardiovascular conditions upon referral as appropriate.
• Supervise technical support personnel and ensure clinic efficiency and quality indicators are met.
• Initiate, modify, and monitor pharmaceutical care plans for conditions managed in the primary care setting.
• Assess medication regimen appropriateness and effectiveness using medical records, interdisciplinary communications, and patient interviews or examinations as appropriate.
• Make direct medication regimen changes within scope, including medication initiation, dose adjustment, and discontinuation.
• Monitor therapeutic and adverse effects of drug therapy, including drug interactions, using physical and laboratory parameters; order laboratory tests as necessary.
• Recommend medication regimen adjustments to responsible providers for services or disease states outside the consulted scope.
• Refer patients back to providers or request specialist consultation when conditions are outside the scope of practice.
• Educate patients and caregivers about medical conditions and proper medication use and care.
• Communicate medication treatment plans and therapeutic endpoints to primary care providers.
• Serve as a consultant to other providers for intensive medication therapy management services.
• Provide general educational programs and patient-specific evaluations and recommendations.
• Conduct in-service education for providers, nursing, pharmacy staff, and others as assigned.
• Provide medical center staff with accurate, comprehensive information about drugs and their use.
• Maintain current knowledge of service changes, professional practice standards, and applicable regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Support pharmacy student experiential learning.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree