Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner - Outpatient Mental Health)

Duties of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• The Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP), Mental health, utilizes expertise in the area of mental health to provide medication management to optimize patient care.
• As an advanced practitioner of mental health he/she/they is authorized within the guidelines of a scope of practice to function as a provider of services to patients of the VA TVHS requiring minimal supervision in both the practice area of Outpatient Mental health as well as the specialty practice area in which he/she is assigned.
• The CPP Mental Health utilizes specialized expertise in the area of mental health aligning with the goals and objectives of medicine and specialty services to optimize patient care and is responsible for oversight of all clinical pharmacy activities and consultations in outpatient mental health care settings for patients in whom they are assigned.
• Principal responsibilities include evidence-based pharmacotherapy management (including identification of patient specific medication issues such as drug interactions, adverse effects, lack of effectiveness, appropriateness, and compliance problems), and provision of drug information service to medicine and specialty services both inpatient/outpatient and to other areas within Clinical Pharmacy Service as requested.
• Attends and participates in team meetings, conferences, and other meetings as required for the purpose of making recommendations and providing consultation in all Pharmacy-related matters to mental health for Mental Health Service Line.
• Directly assists other providers in rational medication selection by providing written and/or verbal consultation.
• Is responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining effective clinical pharmacy programs by implementing rational cost-effective drug therapy to improve patient outcomes within medicine and specialty services.
• Provides medication information to medicine and specialty team members as required.
• Provides assistance in development of policies as requested.
• Participates in developing criteria for drug utilization evaluations, data collection, trending reports, another quality assurance activities as required to ensure appropriate and safe drug utilization.
• Assists in initiation of medication use improvement strategies including development of quick order sets, clinical reminders, patient/provider education handouts, and development and implementation of pharmacotherapy protocols.
• Ensures the safety and efficacy of the medication use process in the area assigned by reporting adverse drug effects, medication errors, and other quality issues.
• Performs data analysis to measure performance, trend changes, and implement quality improvement strategies.
• Serves as liaison to pharmacy service for Outpatient Mental Health to medicine and specialty services, serving as the local VAMC subject matter expert in services in the broad area of advanced pharmacotherapy, with special emphasis on Mental Health.
• Reports directly to and requires minimal supervision by Pharmacy Supervisor, MH/Pain Clinical Pharmacy Services and the Associate Chief of Pharmacy, Clinical and Educational Services.
• The incumbent will ensure that all prescriptions and actions meet proper eligibility criteria on a patient specific basis and the National Formulary and Non-Formulary procedures are followed. This includes adherence to all national, VISN and local criteria or use treatment algorithms.
• Assures compliance with VA and other accrediting bodies in terms of meeting all medication use standards.
• Actively participates in local, state, and national organizations related to the advancement of the pharmaceutical profession.

Work Schedule: Based on the needs of the service (the specific tours of duty will be discussed during the interview)
Telework: AD-HOC
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 70890-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Physical Requirements: Applicants must be able to perform the following duties: lifting (up to 50 lbs); carrying (up to 50 pounds). Applicants must have use of all fingers. Walking or standing for up to 8-hours. Kneeling intermittently multiple times for up to 8-hours. Use of both legs is required. Must possess visual acuity to read typed print. Keen hearing (aids permitted). Mental stability must be required to handle rigors of the position. The loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated by satisfactory use of prosthesis.

Starting at $151,989 Per Year (GS 13)