Health Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy, or qualifying foreign pharmacy education with FPGEC certification, including the required examinations.
• A full, current, and unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; required registration must be maintained if applicable.
• For the GS-13 grade determination, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program, in addition to GS-12 requirements.
• 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.
• Must meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements; selected applicants are subject to drug testing when applicable.
• Must complete the required online onboarding and application documentation, and serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of a residency program.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans through direct interactions with patients and providers on the assigned health care team.
• Initiate, modify, or discontinue medications under an approved scope of practice and provide appropriate follow-up monitoring.
• Order, perform, review, and analyze laboratory tests and diagnostic studies needed to monitor and support drug therapy.
• Follow up with patients about laboratory or test results and discuss therapy plans.
• Provide comprehensive medication management and document relevant history, assessments, and pharmaceutical care plans in the electronic medical record in a timely manner.
• Help coordinate care and determine when referral to another provider or service is appropriate.
• Identify patients who may benefit from comprehensive medication management using population management reports, initiatives, or team activities.
• Review medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, interactions, and therapeutic outcomes.
• Communicate medication review findings, recommendations, and plans to the health care team.
• Obtain medication histories, perform medication reconciliation, and summarize significant findings in the medical record or for the health care team.
• Monitor and report drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues; document findings according to facility procedures.
• Attend and actively participate in required pharmacy, interdisciplinary, and assigned team meetings.
• Support effective drug-use criteria approved by VHA, VISN, and local pharmacy programs to promote quality and cost-effective care.
• Assist with the non-formulary and prior-authorization medication process for assigned teams as needed.
• Participate in pharmaceutical care support services, including drug distribution, drug information, and database management.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to approval.