Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

SummaryThe Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) acts as a representative of the Pharmacy Service - in a variety of positions throughout the Healthcare System. The CPP functions at the highest level of clinical pharmacy practice and works independently under a scope of practice in practice area(s) based on their knowledge - competencies - clinical experience - and skills.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationGraduate 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.) degreeVerification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education - 20 North Clark Street - Suite 2500 - Chicago - Illinois 60602-5109phone: (312) 664-3575 - or through their Web site at: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree programToday the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.)Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate is able to provide proof of achieving the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC) Certification - which includes passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)LicensureFull - current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State - Territory - Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - or the District of ColumbiaPhysical RequirementsSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019English Language ProficiencyPharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written EnglishMay qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Grade Determinations: GS-13 (a) ExperienceIn addition to the GS-12 requirements - must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level(b) AssignmentsCandidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed belowFor all assignments above the full performance level - the higher level duties must consist of significant scope - administrative independence - complexity 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 timeClinical Pharmacy SpecialistThe 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 patientsA 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 servicesThis 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 treatmentshelping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients - providers - and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areasperforming physical assessmentsand ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapyPharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: aAbility to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisionsbExpert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program areacAbility to solve problems - coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertisedExpert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacyeAdvanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies - including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parametersPreferred Experience: PGY-2 Pain ResidencyDEA LicenseBoard Certified Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13 Physical Requirements: There may be some walking - standing - sitting - bending - and carrying of light items.DutiesThe Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) acts as a representative of the Pharmacy Service - in a variety of positions throughout the Healthcare SystemThe CPP functions at the highest level of clinical pharmacy practice and works independently under a scope of practice in practice area(s) based on their knowledge - competencies - clinical experience - and skillsThe practice for the CPP consists of direct and indirect patient care - drug therapy monitoring - prescriptive authority - quality assurance/improvement - and staff/patient educationAt least 25% of the CPP's time is spent performing these high-level practice activitiesThe CPP is specially prepared by education - training - (i.e advanced degree - licensure - and clinical experiences to skillfully apply the knowledge of pharmacology - pharmacokinetics - pharmacodynamics - pharmacoeconomics and pharmacotherapeutics in the clinical management of patientsFunctions independently under an individual scope of practice as defined by the health care system for chronic disease states with comprehensive medication management to provide pharmaceutical care to patientsThis includes but is not limited to the design - implementation - and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve positive - definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areasObtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical recordReviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness - drug selection - dosing - contraindications - side effects - potential drug interactions - and therapeutic outcomes as required and communicates findings with other relevant staff when applicableMonitors for and reports drug errors - adverse drug reactions - allergies - and medication adherence issuesDocuments findings per facility proceduresApplies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient carerecognizes and takes necessary and appropriate action on significant abnormalitiesHas expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and able to make dose adjustments and/or recommendations based on objective laboratory findingsPerforms patient care activities in working directly or indirectly with the health care team and patient - encompassing a variety of modalities and professional responsibilitiesReviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicableReviews literature routinely to provide an evaluation of efficacy - safety - and cost effectiveness for routine patient care and projects as assignedMaintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease managementAssists with Medication Use Evaluations (MUE) and other Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee related activitiesDocuments clinical interventions in a timely and professional manner as appropriatePromotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies in accordance with VHA/DoD guidance or latest evidence-based practiceWorks with providers to ensure compliance with national - VISN - and local initiativesUses appropriate references to research drug information and serves as an expert on drug usage - interactions - over-dosages - and compliance to medical staff - nursing staff - technicians and studentsProvides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customersServes on medical center and/or VISN committees as requestedOther duties as assignedWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pmCompressed/Flexible: Not availableTelework: Eligible Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 0000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-06