Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) serves as a provider with prescribing privileges. This pharmacist promotes, initiates and/or manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN, and local levels. The CPP is physically integrated within the ambulatory care clinic and functions as part of the interdisciplinary PACT team.
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. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) School transcripts must be submitted with your application. OR, 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). A copy of the FPGEC certificate must be submitted. 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. A pharmacist who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16. An active copy of unrestricted license to practice pharmacy must be submitted. 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, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). The GS-12 requirements include: (1) 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) or (2) Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. AND the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following 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. 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: Work includes some walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items such as paper and books. Most of the work is performed while seated.
Works independently as a mid-level provider. The CPP will function at the highest level of clinical practice, working independently under their scope of practice, at least 25% of the time. This time is directly involved in assessing, designing, initiating, modifying, and monitoring therapeutic drug plans to achieve patient centric outcomes through direct interactions with patients, providers and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas. Serves as the CPP within PACT to provide intensive medication therapy management services including but not limited to chronic disease states such as: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking cessation and osteoporosis. The CPP, functioning as a mid-level provider, will initiate and modify a patient's medication therapy in order to maximize patient response and minimize drug interactions, adverse drug effects, and polypharmacy while providing cost-effective treatment. CPPs will coordinate appropriate triage for patient related issues outside their scope of practice. Will determine if a referral to the physician or provider is necessary when disease progression occurs, significant non-adherence with treatment regimen exists or adverse drug events require treatment interventions. Order, review and analyze appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to implement the necessary changes in the plan of therapy (i.e., changes in medication therapy, monitoring and evaluation, additional testing requirements, referral to primary care provider or specialty care physician). Provides patient care that is appropriate to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patient group served. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate. reviewing patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, least toxic and most economical medication treatments, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans. Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Orders consults to appropriate services to coordinate comprehensive medical care and provide necessary equipment such as glucometers and home blood pressure monitors. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members and has the ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in support of the PACT model. Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists, pharmacy residents, medical residents, and other medical center personnel as required. Maintain faculty appointment through the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. Instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Is able to adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Is able to accurately assess and document patient comprehension. Is able to refer patients to educational programs provided at the medical center by multidisciplinary teams. Participates in educational programs provided at the medical center through educational content design and delivery. Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others. May serve as preceptor for student pharmacists and pharmacy residents. 6. Assists in the development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy services. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized