Summary 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 area-based 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 Pain Management. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Principal duties include providing innovative and progressive clinical pharmacy services and aiding in the development of clinical pharmacy programs. Clinical pharmacy duties are performed in the primary assignment area(s) as well as other areas of the Health Care System as necessity requires and time permits. The incumbent will provide Veteran-centric clinical pharmacy care by meeting Veterans needs through various modalities of care, including, face to face, telehealth, and shared medical appointments. Duties include but are not limited to: Initiates and provides pharmacotherapy services to their primary assignment area(s) and other clinical areas as time permits and as designated by the Chief of Pharmacy Service, Associate Chief of Pharmacy Service, or Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Supervisor. Assures the safe, appropriate, cost-effective use of drugs through the application of specialized knowledge and interpretation of data specific to each patient and utilizes tactful interactions with other professionals. Shares responsibility for coordinating and directing drug information and practice activities and participating in pharmacy residency programs. Develops therapeutic drug policy through medical literature evaluation and the application of pharmacoeconomic principles and methods. Shares responsibility for Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting and collaborates with the P&T Committee as appropriate. Actively participates in the education of Health Care System staff, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, medical interns, and medical residents. Works diligently to build relationships with patients as well as pharmacy, nursing, and medical staff. Shares responsibility for cost containment by recommending and prescribing the most cost-effective therapy. Prepares reports documenting cost containment activities. Actively participates in National, VISN and/or Durham Health Care System Committees as appropriate. Consistently documents interventions and/or recommendations in accordance with Health Care System policy and local pharmacy practice. Develops and implements therapeutic plans for the management of patients and participates in the collaborative treatment of disease states Provides clinical pharmacotherapy and consultative services in his/her primary assignment area(s) and other areas as designated by the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Supervisor, Associate Chief of Pharmacy Service, and the Chief of Pharmacy Service. Provides comprehensive medication management through multiple modalities of care to meet Veteran, service and assigned area needs, including, face to face, telephone, telehealth (CVT, CCHT, video) visits and shared medical appointments (SMAs) as designated by the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Supervisor, Associate Chief of Pharmacy Service. Contributes to quality improvement/performance improvement strategies employed by the Health Care System. Maintains knowledge of current therapies and practices evidence-based medicine. Is familiar with and utilized the VA/PBM Criteria for Use and Clinical Practice Guidelines. Maintains education and skills in such a manner as to be knowledgeable and functional in all aspects of the delivery of care provided by Pharmacy Service. Performs population health management activities. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: Ad hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia. (COPY OF LICENSURE REQUIRED). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: GS-13 (a) Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Assignments. Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. A CPS plays a defined role in budgetary execution and serves as a mid-level provider who functions to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments; helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; performing physical assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. e. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. The selectee will be appointed at the GS-13 above the full performance grade level. Preferred Experience: 1. At least 3+ years of Clinical Pharmacy Specialist experience 2. Completion of an ASHP accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency or equivalent experience 3. Completion of a PGY-2 Pain Management and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency, Ambulatory Care, Psychiatric Pharmacy or equivalent experience 4. Board Certification in Pain Management, or Pharmacotherapy, Psychiatry or Ambulatory Care 5. Eligible to obtain DEA registration for controlled substance prescribing References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Physical requirements for this position are as follows: Light lifting, 15-25 pounds with occasional heavier lifting; Light carrying, 15-25 pounds with occasional heavier carrying; Straight pulling (up to 2 hours); Pushing (up to 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Repeated bending; Walking (up to 8 hours);Standing (up to 8 hours); Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed; Mental/emotional stability. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
