Summary The VA Western New York Healthcare System is currently recruiting for one Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for the Inpatient Unit at the at the Buffalo/Batavia location. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist provides clinical and distributive pharmacy service to medicine, surgery and specialty services within the VAWNYHS. The scope of practice CPS covers direct and indirect patient care, drug therapy monitoring, quality assurance/improvement, staff/patient education and consultation. Responsibilities Clinical Pharmacy Practice: A. functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by VAWNYHS to directly care for patients, B. Develops therapeutic care plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic, and most economical medication treatments. Develops therapeutic care plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic, and most economical medication treatments, recognizing the special drug considerations of the age, developmental and cultural needs for the patient, and communicates this plan to the patients primary provider. C. applies pharmacokinetics, using rate order equations as appropriate to equilibrate serum levels using volumes of distribution and/or renal and hepatic clearances when necessary. D. Analyzes laboratory, imaging and clinical data so as to modify drug dosing when necessary in an effective manner and to rule our drug interferences. This may include ordering and interpreting vital signs and/or lab tests specifically related to drug therapy. E. Develops rational alternative medication treatment plans incases where the initially selected plan fails to achieve the desired therapeutic result and communicates this information to the patient's primary provider. F. Coordinates and carries out polypharmacy reduction efforts, effecting therapeutic changes through treatment recommendations to patient's primary provider. G. Evaluates the drug literature to compare and contrast therapeutic regimens and toe stablish the role of new agents in the medical center, H. Administers and documents administration of immunizations per current VAWNYHS practice if in possession of a valid immunization certificate from their state of licensure. Clinical Duties: A. Identifies drug-induced problems that may be affecting the patient, takes appropriate steps to manage these problems and/or communicated these findings to his/her primary provider (includes drug side effects, allergic reactions, toxicities, dosage regimens, and non-compliance concerns). B. Counsels patients and family members concerning directions for use, side effects, precautions, and the need to strictly follow the regimen. C. Ensures patient medications records are accurate and up to date. This may include addition of or correction of documented allergies/ADRs, addition of or discontinuation of non-VA medications and discontinuation of orders per current scope of practice. D. Provides consultation to physicians, nurses, and other health professionals on medication management issues. This may include formal rounds, informal rounds, formal consults and informal consults and may be verbal, telephone or written consultations. E. Makes suggestions to aid the selection of alternate medications when those requested are not available or when a more cost-effective approach appears appropriate. Applies the VISN2 auto-substitution protocols where indicated. F. Supports the VAWNYHS formulary and ensures its appropriate utilization be healthcare providers. Reviews and processes non-formulary requests according to VISN2 and VAWNYHS formulary procedures. G. Serves as a reference source and guide to proper medication therapy and administration techniques for physicians, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team. H. conducts drug usage evaluations, and monthly reviews of drug regimens for long tern care patients/residents in accordance with medical center/pharmacy policy and JC standards. I. Participates in medication management activities such as antimicrobial management, anti-coagulation management, hemodialysis/renal medication stewardship, critical care/emergency department medication stewardship, pharmacokinetic, polypharmacy, and geriatric medication reviews as well as drug interaction evaluations. J. Participates in the medication reconciliation process as it applies to transitions of care (admission, transfers, discharges). non-VA medications and remote (other VA) medications. K. Serves as a liaison between their area of practice and the pharmacy department, helping to solve problems, clarifying orders, improving processes and communications to improve inter-service relationships. In contacts with patients, relatives, staff members, demonstrated a concerned, compassionate and professional attitude to enhance the image of pharmacy, the medical center and the VHA. L. Deals with difficult situations involving all levels of contacts (patient, nurse, physician, pharmacy staff, etc.) including the ability to identify key elements of a situation and weigh the relative importance of issues, and cope with the dynamics of changing situations to maintain constructive relationships as well as response to situations that may change rapidly. Work Schedule: Thursday - Sunday 7:00am - 5:30pm ( Subject to change based on the needs of the service) Telework: Not Authorized Functional Statement #:21U84-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: Citizenship Be a citizen of the United States. 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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Creditable Experience. (1) Knowledge of Professional Pharmacy Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with professional pharmacy practice. Professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional or unlicensed graduate pharmacist as defined by the appropriate licensing board. (2) Residency and Fellowship Training. Residency and fellowship training programs in a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice may be substituted for creditable experience on a year-for year basis. The pharmacy residency program must be accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). A fellowship program that is not accredited by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) will need to have comparable standards for experience to be creditable (Professional Standards Board refers to the Deputy Chief Consultant for Professional Practice for the determination). Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to pharmacy experience at the next lower level. Experience as a Graduate Pharmacist is creditable provided the candidate was used as a professional pharmacist (under supervision) and subsequently passed the appropriate licensure examination. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, GS-13 Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: Hospital Pharmacy Experience Preferred References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 PART II APPENDIX G15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.