Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Anticoagulation)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Anticoagulation) is responsible for for providing evidence-based pharmaceutical care in anticoagulation through both direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. The CPS serves as a provider with a Scope of Practice (SOP) as outlined by the Qualification Standards. Duties include but not limited to: Directly involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of anticoagulation therapeutic care plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients, providers and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas. Is actively involved in reviewing patient anticoagulation medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes. Identifies drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient adherance issues. Orders and interprets laboratory values recognizing significant abnormalities and taking action when warranted. Is knowledgeable in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is able to make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. Performs medication reconciliation to identify, address and document medication discrepancies found in the patients medical record as compared with medication information supplied by the patient or caregiver and previous treating provider. Documents clinical interventions in electronic medical record in a timely and professional manner. Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies. Reviews and verifies medication orders for appropriateness to reduce potential risk of adverse drug events. Is familiar with Joint Commission anticoagulation standards, National Patient Safety Goals, VHA Clinical Pharmacy Practice Office Pharmacy Benefits Management practice recommendations and the VHA Anticoagulation Directive. Serves as the subject matter expert on anticoagulation drug usage, interactions, over dosages, and adherance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians and students, among others. Has a good working knowledge of information resources, both written and electronic. Uses appropriate references to research drug information. Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management. Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries. Unique functions requiring the CPS to maintain a scope of practice (SOP) Initiates, modifies and/or discontinues patients medication therapy incluiding over-the-counter medications or expendable medical supplies. CPS can renew orders for maintenance medications until the next visit is due with the appropriate provider if the medications have expired or have no refills remaining. Provides patient-specific drug therapy modifications to maximize patient response, and minimize drug interactions, adverse drug effects, and polypharmacy while providing cost-effective treatment. Orders, perfonns, reviews and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests necessary to monitor and support the patients drug therapy. Follows-up with patients on laboratory test results to discuss the plan of therapy (i.e.changes in medication therapy, monitoring and evaluation, emergency room referral, referral to primary care or specialty care physician). Consults other members of the interdisciplinary team to maximize positive drug therapy outcomes. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00pm. Requires to work weekends, holidays and on-call. May require to work 2nd (3:00pm to 11:30pm) and 3rd shift (11:00pm to 7:00am). Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Adam Blas-Rodriguez, adam.blas-rodriguez@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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-Documentation Supplied: 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. NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. GS-13 Requirement: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: required at the GS-13 grade level: 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. Responsible for the professional and administrative management of Investigational Drugs used in the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) Research Program. The Research Pharmacy Coordinator assures that policies and procedures are followed in accordance with requirements of VHA Handbook 1108.04, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations governing investigational new drugs (INDs), and the Joint Commission (JC) standards. He/she is responsible for the receipt, custody, storage, dispensing and labeling of all drugs in clinical stages of evaluation, or used under investigational protocols. The incumbent is also responsible for maintaining a file of all documents as required by investigational drug protocols and to comply with FDA, VA, and FDA regulations and policies. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15 dated June 7, 2012.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13 Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English and Spanish. Physical Requirements: The work of this position involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. 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 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 is a Bargaining Unit position. 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.