The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and top of licensure and serves as an advanced practice provider working independently with prescribing privileges as outlined in the individual's practice areabased scope of practice. The CPS provider delivers evidence-based comprehensive medication management (CMM) through direct patient care and as part of the interdisciplinary team providing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) management. Duties include but are not limited to the following: a. Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities: 1) Functions as an advanced practice provider for comprehensive medication management to achieve defined outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned care area(s). 2) Functions as a care coordinator for patients with SUD as part of an identified interdisciplinary team and offering drug use monitoring and care coordination as well as providing supporting recommendations and motivational interviewing when needed. 3) Functions as part of the interdisciplinary team to assist with screening patients for medication assisted treatment (MAT) which may include, but is not limited to: a. Verifying vaccines and infectious disease screening b. Providing medication education and implementing risk mitigation strategies c. Querying and documenting PDMP information d. Ordering, monitoring and interpreting urine drug screen (UDS) and other needed labs e. Providing overdose education and prescribing naloxone b. Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities 1) Reviews 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. 2) Monitors and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures and in accordance with the VAADERS Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting program. 3) Reviews relevant population management dashboards to identify patients who may benefit from engagement in care for SUD treatment or risk mitigation. Ensures plans are in place to engage patient in care and offers treatment options that targets positive patient outcomes. 4) Applies knowledge to interpret laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognizing significant abnormalities, and making dose adjustments or recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. 5) Provides input and recommendations as the medication expert on the interdisciplinary team during routine patient care planning or targeted complex or high-risk reviews. c. Educational: 1) Provides formal and informal education and in-services to pharmacy, medical, nursing and other staff as requested. 2) Serves as a subject matter expert for MAT in SUD for assigned committees, workgroups or interdisciplinary teams. 3) Provides education to patients, their families and caregivers about medications, common disease states, patient responsibilities, and information on health promotion. 4) Participates in self-development activities to maintain and strengthen professional competence in SUD treatment and management (example: Buprenorphine X-waiver training for education and training purposes). d. Program Management and Administration: 1) Participates in the appropriate, effective and safe use of pharmaceuticals by contributing to criteria development, data collection, quality assurance and drug use evaluation and other quality improvement activities for core practice area(s) and MAT for SUD. 2) Serves as the pharmacist subject matter expert on assigned SUD related committees and subcommittees. 3) Supports and promotes compliance with established drug therapy policies, formulary management and criteria or prior authorization requirements that have been approved by national, VISN, or local pharmacy benefits management (PBM) and focuses on quality patient care in a cost-effective manner. 4) Participates and facilitates departmental and organizational compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC), Office of General Counsel (OIG), and other applicable regulatory and accreditation regulations and guidelines regarding patient safety and care. 5) Identifies and addresses orientation and training needs to keep aligned with appropriate utilization of the VHA formulary by health care providers. e. Research: (when applicable) 1) Participates in design and/or completion of research studies involving drug therapy, clinical pharmacy functions, or improvements in patient care. 2) Directs and/or participates in the preparation of articles for publication.