Pharmacist - Clinical Specialist - PACT

Veterans Health Administration • Indianapolis, IN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist works independently under the Associate Chief for Clinical Pharmacy Services and Chief of Pharmacy, or their designee, and keeps them informed of trends and problems in assigned areas. The primary responsibility is to provide evidence-based pharmaceutical care through direct interaction with patients and providers. The role includes clinical care, education and training, administration, and research activities. The position supports the VA Whole Health System approach to personalized care that empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy with a BS in Pharmacy and/or Pharm.D.; foreign pharmacy graduates must provide FPGEC certification, including the FPGEE and TOEFL iBT.
• Full, current, and unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration if required for licensure.
• For GS-13, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• 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.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and applicable background/security investigation; selected applicants are subject to drug testing and must participate in seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Complete required online onboarding and application documentation, and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency and a PGY2 ambulatory care pharmacy residency, or five years of ambulatory care pharmacy experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve defined outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers.
• Prescribe medications within the pharmacist's approved scope of practice.
• Obtain patient medication histories and document or communicate significant findings to the medical record or provider.
• Review medication regimens for cost-effective selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, interactions, and therapeutic outcomes; communicate findings and alternatives to prescribers.
• Monitor and report medication errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues, documenting findings according to facility and VA policy.
• Apply knowledge of normal laboratory values to evaluate patient care and identify significant abnormalities.
• Use clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics expertise to recommend dose adjustments based on laboratory findings.
• Review non-formulary and restricted-drug consult requests for appropriateness and compliance with criteria, and provide therapeutic alternatives.
• Document clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner.
• Promote and monitor compliance with drug therapy policies and work with providers on national, VISN, and local initiatives.
• Respond to Code Blue emergencies and assist the Code Team as appropriate.
• Train and provide in-service education to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and other medical center personnel.
• Instruct patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices.
• Serve as a preceptor for pharmacy students and/or residents.
• Maintain current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management, and provide timely, accurate responses to drug information inquiries.
• Act as a point of contact with Patient Care Services to resolve time-sensitive nursing and pharmacy issues.
• Participate in medical center and pharmacy service quality improvement programs, including ongoing professional practice evaluations.
• Serve on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested.
• Participate in drug use evaluation as needed.
• Conduct research activities in accordance with FDA guidelines and regulations and VHA policy.
• Coordinate receipt and distribution of investigational or clinical-evaluation drugs and maintain applicable records.
• Serve as primary investigator for pharmacy resident and/or student research projects as necessary.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to employees and their families, with eligibility dependent on position type.
• Prior federal or military service may be credited toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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