Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder)
The Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) will provide clinical services to veterans managed by mental health services at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and CBOCs. The CPS also represents Pharmacy Services in mental health and substance use disorder clinics and serves as a representative in various hospital functions. A CPS will spend most of their time in direct patient care activities as a mid-level provider, and is responsible for initiating, modifying, or discontinuing medications and ordering pertinent labs. The CPS will also educate veterans regarding their care while participating in their medication management to include, but not limited to, history and disease assessment, medication selection, supportive care, treatment response assessment, and follow up. The CPS has responsibility for providing medication management services for patients and to aid other professional staff to optimize patient response and resource utilization. Duties would include but not be limited to:
Clinical Care 1) Act as an independent provider operating under a scope of practice and providing expertise to other members of the multidisciplinary team. 2) Provide medication management services to include, but not limited to, development of treatment goals, assessment and management of symptoms, assessing adherence, and scheduling follow up visits. 3) Conduct patient interviews to include, but not limited to, medical history, medication reconciliation, assessment and treatment planning. 4) Conduct standardized mental health exams and questionnaires as appropriate for side effect and symptom monitoring. 5) Document all patient interactions and assessments in the medical record promptly and accurately. 6) Ensure safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients, in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols. 7) Communicate regularly with the veteran's treatment team members concerning the ongoing management of the veteran. 8) Interact directly with patients by evaluating each patient's ability to understand medication instruction and providing oral and written counseling as appropriate on his/her disease state and drug therapy. 9) Review medications and allergies for accuracy, appropriateness, safety, and interactions 10) Order labs for monitoring of medications and side effects, and adjust medications based on treatment guidelines and patient status within scope of practice. 11) Record incidences of clinical impact on patient where interaction with physicians and/or nurses has positively affected the patient's course of therapy. 12) Make recommendations to change, delete or add to the current medication regimen as appropriate to optimize the cost/benefit ratio of the regimen within the guidelines of the P&T Committee, the Preferred Drug Program, treatment protocols, and our network formulary. Notes all changes in the patient's medical record. 13) Discontinue medications that are no longer needed by the patient, that are an unnecessary duplication of therapy, or that are causing untoward side effects. Communicates changes to the patient's provider appropriately. Clinical Program Management 1) Provide input to the Pharmacy Service Director and other Pharmacy supervisors in establishing and accomplishing the Pharmacy's missions and goals. 2) Contribute to planning and implementation of an effective quality assurance program for the pharmacy service and for the pharmacy team. 3) Present to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, when requested, on the safe, efficient, and cost-effective use of medications and/or other topics related to mental health. 4) Develop, build, and maintain safe and effective medication orders and order sets within the electronic health record. 5) Provide prompt, accurate drug information when requested. 6) Contribute to planning, maintaining, expanding, and coordinating clinical pharmacy activities in mental health. 7) Actively monitor and report drug errors and adverse drug reactions. 8) Provide patient and staff education whenever appropriate. 9) Contribute to the creation, review, and update of pharmacy and mental health policies. 10) Maintain effective interdepartmental relations by committee membership, active problem resolution skills, and close cooperation with other services in accomplishing the medical center's missions and goals. 11) Coordinate activities of self, other pharmacists and technicians to ensure the patient is receiving accurate, complete, and timely service. Such activities include monthly Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations (OPPEs) to ensure best quality and safety of care amongst all Clinical Pharmacy Specialists. Position Description/PD#:
00000/Functional Statement Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may 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. 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. GS-13 Requirements:
Must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12). Examples of experience includes handling routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, and national policies, reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; and providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. In addition, pharmacists must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):
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:
-PGY-1 Residency -Mental Health or Pain Management focused PGY-2 Residency -Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist or equivalent experience in mental health/pain management/substance use disorder References:
VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements:
Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include but are not limited to significant computer work/typing, prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Clinical Care 1) Act as an independent provider operating under a scope of practice and providing expertise to other members of the multidisciplinary team. 2) Provide medication management services to include, but not limited to, development of treatment goals, assessment and management of symptoms, assessing adherence, and scheduling follow up visits. 3) Conduct patient interviews to include, but not limited to, medical history, medication reconciliation, assessment and treatment planning. 4) Conduct standardized mental health exams and questionnaires as appropriate for side effect and symptom monitoring. 5) Document all patient interactions and assessments in the medical record promptly and accurately. 6) Ensure safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients, in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols. 7) Communicate regularly with the veteran's treatment team members concerning the ongoing management of the veteran. 8) Interact directly with patients by evaluating each patient's ability to understand medication instruction and providing oral and written counseling as appropriate on his/her disease state and drug therapy. 9) Review medications and allergies for accuracy, appropriateness, safety, and interactions 10) Order labs for monitoring of medications and side effects, and adjust medications based on treatment guidelines and patient status within scope of practice. 11) Record incidences of clinical impact on patient where interaction with physicians and/or nurses has positively affected the patient's course of therapy. 12) Make recommendations to change, delete or add to the current medication regimen as appropriate to optimize the cost/benefit ratio of the regimen within the guidelines of the P&T Committee, the Preferred Drug Program, treatment protocols, and our network formulary. Notes all changes in the patient's medical record. 13) Discontinue medications that are no longer needed by the patient, that are an unnecessary duplication of therapy, or that are causing untoward side effects. Communicates changes to the patient's provider appropriately. Clinical Program Management 1) Provide input to the Pharmacy Service Director and other Pharmacy supervisors in establishing and accomplishing the Pharmacy's missions and goals. 2) Contribute to planning and implementation of an effective quality assurance program for the pharmacy service and for the pharmacy team. 3) Present to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, when requested, on the safe, efficient, and cost-effective use of medications and/or other topics related to mental health. 4) Develop, build, and maintain safe and effective medication orders and order sets within the electronic health record. 5) Provide prompt, accurate drug information when requested. 6) Contribute to planning, maintaining, expanding, and coordinating clinical pharmacy activities in mental health. 7) Actively monitor and report drug errors and adverse drug reactions. 8) Provide patient and staff education whenever appropriate. 9) Contribute to the creation, review, and update of pharmacy and mental health policies. 10) Maintain effective interdepartmental relations by committee membership, active problem resolution skills, and close cooperation with other services in accomplishing the medical center's missions and goals. 11) Coordinate activities of self, other pharmacists and technicians to ensure the patient is receiving accurate, complete, and timely service. Such activities include monthly Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations (OPPEs) to ensure best quality and safety of care amongst all Clinical Pharmacy Specialists. Position Description/PD#:
00000/Functional Statement Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may 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. 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. GS-13 Requirements:
Must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12). Examples of experience includes handling routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, and national policies, reviewing, interpreting, and verifying medication orders for appropriateness; processing and filling medication orders; interacting with and making recommendations to other clinical staff regarding medication therapy ordered to ensure safe and effective care; reviewing the patient's medications, allergies, labs, and other pertinent information from the medical record to identify and solve medication-related problems; contacting providers as appropriate; documenting recommendations and interventions; providing refill extensions and partial medication supplies; taking health and medication histories; performing medication reconciliation; providing drug information; assisting in formulary management including therapeutic substitutions, nonformulary reviews and medication usage evaluations; documenting and assessing adverse drug events (ADEs); assisting in medical emergencies; and providing oversight of technical staff in all aspects of medication distribution. In addition, pharmacists must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):
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:
-PGY-1 Residency -Mental Health or Pain Management focused PGY-2 Residency -Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist or equivalent experience in mental health/pain management/substance use disorder References:
VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements:
Physical movements involve completion of routine pharmacy functions which include but are not limited to significant computer work/typing, prescription order entry and processing, contact of patients (both face to face and via phone). Certain tasks are repetitive in nature and require multiple steps performed in succession for success. The incumbent should be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds without significant difficulty. Incumbent must be able to stand or sit in one place for considerable time during completion of complex tasks. Complexity of mental processes involved is extensive, demanding, and challenging.
- Department:
0660 Pharmacist - Salary Range:
$119,941 to $155,928 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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