Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Acute Care

<p>This position is located at the Lebanon VA Medical Center in Lebanon, PA. The Clinical Pharmacist Specialist is responsible for providing a broad range of pharmacy services to the patients assigned to their teams as directed by the Chief of Pharmacy or Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy Services.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The primary responsibility of the incumbent is the provision of evidence-based pharmaceutical care services through both direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers. This pharmacist promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge that is consistent with policies established at the national, VISN, and local levels and current established treatment guidelines. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist functions as part of the Medicine Team and is most effective when utilizing their scope of practice to initiate, modify, and discontinue drug therapy based on treatment plans developed in support of assigned/referred patients. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Customer Service Treats patient, team members, other facility employees and visitors with respect. Responds to needs appropriate for the service in a courteous and timely manner. Acts as a team member and is supportive of the group's efforts at all times. Demonstrates an ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality. Clinical Assists providers in optimizing patient outcomes through recommending ways to improve the effective and safe use of medications for their patients through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as needed. Actively involved in reviewing patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, 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. Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Ability to apply a knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care and recognizes significant abnormalities. Expertise in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and is knowledgeable and able to make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. Assist providers in understanding the VA formulary and associated policies and procedures. In addition, the incumbent needs to be able to instruct the provider on how to appropriately request non-formulary medications that may be needed to treat a patient or help identify evidence-based formulary alternatives. Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. Anticipates and recognizes patient problems that are a result of or will influence their drug therapy, and facilitates solutions when problems occur. Communicates any problems to the medical staff and/or nursing staff and offers alternatives or solutions to the problems. Documents pertinent clinical interventions in CPRS in a timely and professional manner as appropriate. Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies. Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Familiar with and participates in the drug use evaluation process as needed. Reviews and verifies medication orders to be administered to patients, prior to administration, for appropriateness and to reduce potential risk of adverse drug event. 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 accurately assess and document patient comprehension. Drug Information Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, and students. 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 from all customers. Distributive Incumbent will be required to understand and participate in the outpatient distributive process as needed and directed by their supervisor. Program Management Develops and maintains policy and procedures related to pharmacy practice for their work area as directed by their supervisor. Maintains a structured, organized clinical rotation for pharmacy students and residents. Interpersonal Relationships Works and communicates effectively with others while exhibiting a courteous, tactful, and understanding attitude. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>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/.