North Central Section of the AUA, Inc.

This position is located at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, Michigan. The Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) works independently under the Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy Services and Chief of Pharmacy Service and keeps them apprised of trends/problems associated with their assigned activities. 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 appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, 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. 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.) 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. 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. 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. 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 GS-12 requirements, which is Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program or 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, you must have 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) which include but not limited to: 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. AND In addition to the GS-12 requirements, you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 PART II APPENDIX G15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. The physical demands of the work includes moderate lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 44 lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, light lifting of under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required), walking up to 4 hours, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, kneeling, repeated bending/stooping, climbing, use of legs and arms, operation of vehicle/motorized cart, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20, specific visual requirement, ability to read fine print on labels, depth perceptions, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), clear speech, and emotional stability. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Major duties of this position will include, but are not limited to: A) Scope of Practice The scope of practice will be dependent upon the incumbent's training and experience. The Chief of Pharmacy Service and/or Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy Services will review the scope of practice to determine whether the incumbent's scope of practice will be approved. B) Clinical CLC CPPs serve as mid-level providers who initiate, modify, and discontinue medications; order relevant laboratory tests; perform physical measurements and objective assessments; take corrective action for identified drug-related problems; and order consults or make referrals (e.g., dietitian, social work, specialty provider) to optimize drug therapy outcomes as appropriate within the parameters of their scope. The CPP improves clinical outcomes through the provision of Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) and applies principles of team-based care and population management to improve access, quality, and safety. CMM is performed using a specific patient care process which includes five essential functions utilized by the CLC CPP for all residents. CMM includes evaluation of all clinical conditions to evaluate a CLC resident's medications and occurs longitudinally over the patient care journey using a specific patient care process. This process encompasses a wide variety of CPP functions and is categorized as follows: (1) collect and analyze information, (2) assess the information and formulate a medication therapy problem list, (3) develop the care plan, (4) implement the care plan, and (5) follow-up and monitor. Completes comprehensive medication assessments (CMA) for each resident initially upon admission and monthly thereafter. CMA may include a review for appropriate indications, appropriate dose/route/frequency/duration, clinically significant adverse effects, therapeutic duplication, clinically relevant drug interactions, therapeutic effectiveness, adherence, fall risk evaluation, psychotropic assessment, immunization history, disease state management, and medication monitoring and/or reconciliation. Completes drug regimen reviews (DRR) as soon as possible after admission or return/readmission to CLC to identify and prevent clinically significant medication related issues such as: allergy, adverse reactions, ineffective drug/dose/route/frequency/durations, inappropriate indications, presence of disease that may warrant medication therapy, omissions, or nonadherence. Completes medication reconciliation for patients being admitted to the CLC as well as pharmacy discharge counseling for patients being discharged or being sent on temporary passes. This is to include prescription and over-the counter medications in addition to any vitamins/minerals or other dietary/herbal supplements. Is actively involved in reviewing patient medication regimens for cost effective drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Participation in Interdisciplinary Treatment (IDT) team meetings, rounds and/or huddles which may occur and serves as a medication expert with a focus on CMM. Provides individual drug or disease state management activities such as anticoagulation monitoring, antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacokinetic dosing, pain management, psychotropic monitoring, fall prevention, dosage conversions, and renal/hepatic dosing for patients admitted to CLC. Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Is able to apply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities. C) Education Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other medical center personnel as required. Effectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Can adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Can accurately assess patient comprehension. Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others. May serve as preceptor for pharmacy students and pharmacy residents in accordance with established protocols. Assists in new employee orientation sessions as scheduled. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 08:00am to 4:30pm Telework: May be available at supervisor's discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92009A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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