Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist - Patient Aligned Care Team)

Veterans Health Administration • West Palm Beach, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (PACT) at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System provides advanced pharmaceutical care to patients within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model. The role focuses on optimizing drug therapy outcomes and ensuring safe, effective, and economical medication use. The incumbent works independently and collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, provides direct patient care, education, and consultation, participates in clinical telehealth services, and contributes to quality improvement, clinical research, and policy development. The specialist also serves as a resource for other healthcare professionals and supports the VA’s mission of delivering high-quality care to Veterans.

At the GS-13 level, the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist functions at the highest level of clinical practice and independently provides care under a medical-center-defined scope of practice. The specialist may initiate, modify, or discontinue medication therapy and provide intensive medication therapy management. Duties may include designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring, and documenting therapeutic plans; performing physical assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to evaluate medication efficacy and toxicity. The position requires one year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-12 level, in addition to the basic education, licensure, and language requirements.

The work schedule may be rotational and may include weekends and holidays depending on staffing requirements and organizational needs. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-13. A pre-employment physical examination is required, and the role has physical requirements including lifting, carrying, reaching, walking, standing, bending, and climbing.

Requirements

• Graduate from an ACPE-accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and/or Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-12 grade level.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
• Demonstrate expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for the program area.
• Demonstrate the ability to solve problems and coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes.
• Have expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty pharmacy area.
• Have advanced skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• Meet the position’s physical requirements and pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY-1 residency.
• Completion of a PGY-2 residency in Ambulatory Care.
• At least one year of clinical practice under an approved scope of practice.
• Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS), strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide medication management for patients in outpatient PACT pharmacotherapy services.
• Serve as a mid-level provider to initiate, modify, or discontinue medications based on clinical guidelines and patient needs.
• Evaluate drug therapy for other providers and recommend safe and effective medication use in primary care, anticoagulation, and cardiology.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to optimize patient-centered outcomes.
• Interview patients, review medical records, and assess medication adherence, side effects, and therapeutic outcomes.
• Document clinical interventions and recommendations in patients’ computerized medical records.
• Report medication errors and adverse drug events within 24 hours of discovery.
• Participate in PACT team clinic meetings and provide clinical telehealth services as assigned.
• Implement Medication Use Committee policies and educate staff on medication safety and quality standards.
• Review and manage medication lists, reconcile discrepancies, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Participate in continuing education, in-service training, and clinical research within the medical center.
• Provide specialized education and training to healthcare professionals, particularly in chronic pain management and advanced pharmacotherapy.
• Assist with training and orientation of pharmacy students, interns, residents, and new staff.
• Maintain a safe working environment, intervene when necessary, and document safety incidents.
• Serve as a resource for policy development, quality improvement, and clinical project initiatives.
• Design, implement, assess, monitor, and document therapeutic plans using effective, safe, and economical medication treatments.
• Perform physical assessments and order laboratory and other tests to assess medication efficacy and toxicity.
• Help achieve patient-centered outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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