This Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP) Coordinator will support Facility Pain POC/Clinical Leads in the coordination of pain management, opioid safety, and prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP)-related initiatives and implementation of VHA and the Joint Commission standards.
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. English Language: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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. 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). 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. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. May 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-13, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS): Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities KSAs: Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: Completion of PGY1 General and PGY2 Pain residencies completed and program management preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
The duties of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist-PMOP Coordinator include, but are not limited to: Collaborates with VISN PMOP Coordinator, Facility Pain POC, Primary Care (PACT) Pain Champion, Academic Detailing pharmacist, the Pain Management Team (PMT/Pain Clinic team members, and other facility stakeholders. Supports a high functioning Pain Committee that includes stakeholders from across the facility, and supporting subcommittees, task forces/work groups as indicated. Develops processes/procedures to ensure implementation and compliance with national policy related to pain management, opioid safety and risk mitigation strategies, Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution, management of Opioid Disorder, initiatives in compliance with national policy, clinical practice guidelines, and regulatory requirements. Supports reviews of community provider opioid prescribing practices as required by the MISSION Act Section 131. Supports OSI reviews, data-based risk reviews for opioid-exposed patients (including Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Mitigation (STORM) data-based reviews), and other interdisciplinary pain care forums. Supports and tracks full implementation of the Stepped Care Model for Pain Management (SCM-PM), including a high functioning PMT/Pain Clinic at the facility, and access to tertiary pain center within the VISN including a GARF-accredited interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program. Facilitates the implementation of the OUD stepped care model within the facility, in particular for Step 1 of the Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train-the-Trainer (SCOUTT) program expansion, e.g., within PMTs/Pain Clinics. Supports access to tertiary advanced diagnostic and therapeutic interventional pain care modalities. Supports access to integrative health modalities. Supports and facilitates veteran outreach events, inclusive of women's health initiatives for pain management. Identifies opioid safety improvement and risk mitigation opportunities for facility leadership and developing strategic planning efforts in accordance with VA policy, inclusive of, but not limited to POMP compliance, urine drug screening, and establishing population management processes for targeted risk mitigation. Collaborates to evaluate acute pain care prescribing and processes at the facility and leading improvement opportunities. Tracks facility level dashboards regarding pain management, opioid safety, and POMP, including key parameters such as access, productivity, workload, and staffing. Measuring and reporting quality and compliance outcomes related to pain management, opioid safety, and POMP. Partners with Academic Detailing and other stakeholders to monitor and disseminate best clinical practices related to PMOP initiatives. Participates in VISN Pain Committee/Community of Practice meetings and other VISN directed activities as appropriate. Reports to the VISN PMOP Coordinator quarterly, with a formal written report at least twice per year describing progress in implementing PMOP office initiatives and status of pain management and opioid safety initiatives and mandates throughout the facility Facilitates facility responses to formal, sensitive inquiries related to pain and opioid safety per patient reported concerns as presented by Patient Advocacy, Executive Leadership, VISN, Congressional, or others. Prepares responses to formal inquiries from the PMOP office. Performs other related duties as assigned by PMOP and SCS leadership. Participates in clinical pain care delivery at their facility equivalent to 20% of their time. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available (Ad-Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 598-00591-F Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized