Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist)

<p>The VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS), VISN 21, is recruiting for a Mental Health / Outpatient Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) who will function at the highest level of clinical practice. The CPS serves as an advanced practice provider delivering comprehensive medication management (CMM) for inpatient mental health and acute care patient populations. The incumbent practices under a Scope of Practice granting prescriptive authority and provides direct and indirect patient care.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Clinical - Direct Patient Care - Serves as an advanced practice provider delivering CMM in accordance with national guidelines, VA/VISN policy, and scope of practice. - Prescribes, monitors, and adjusts medications for mental health conditions (e.g., depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, insomnia, SUD). - Obtains and interprets medical and medication histories; orders and evaluates toxicology screens and other labs. - Identifies drug-related problems including side effects, toxicities, interactions, and adherence concerns. - Performs mental health screenings and assessments (e.g., suicide risk, alcohol use, PTSD). - Provides overdose education and prescribes naloxone as appropriate. - Screens for and intervenes on substance use disorder behaviors; performs brief interventions when indicated. - Conducts medication reconciliation at admission, transfer, and discharge. - Participates in daily team rounds and provides comprehensive pharmacotherapy recommendations. - Manages inpatient clinical activities including:- Pain management- Pharmacokinetic/renal dosing- Antimicrobial stewardship (in collaboration with ID)- Anticoagulation management- TPN, fluids/electrolytes- DKA, COPD, CHF, hypertension, diabetes, and other acute/chronic disease states - Coordinates transitions of care between inpatient and outpatient settings.- Performs focused physical assessments as appropriate. Clinical - Indirect Patient Care - Reviews medication regimens for appropriateness, safety, efficacy, interactions, and contraindications. - Documents interventions, adverse drug events, and medication histories. - Provides expert consultative services and drug information to providers. - Reviews Pyxis overrides and performs IV-to-PO conversions. - Reviews high-risk medication use (e.g., lithium, valproate, DOACs, heparin, vancomycin, insulin). - Participates in quality assurance, RCA/HFMEA, system redesign, protocol/order set development, and policy updates. - Maintains BLS and ACLS certification and competency in thrombolytic support for ischemic stroke. Education - Provides formal and informal education to pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other staff. - Educates patients and caregivers regarding medication therapy and self-management. - Precepts PGY1 and PGY2 residents and pharmacy students; participates in residency and staff development activities. - Participates in staff development, conferences, rounds, and training activities. Drug Information - Serves as a subject matter expert on medication use, safety, interactions, and therapeutic management. - Provides timely drug information and literature evaluations to clinical staff. Program Management & Administration - Participates in drug use evaluations, quality assurance, and safety initiatives - Serves as subject matter expert on committees and supports formulary and policy compliance. - Supports accreditation (TJC, OIG) and regulatory compliance. - Assists in development and review of policies, procedures, and protocols. - Participates in P&T Committee activities (e.g., ADR monitoring, MUEs). Performance Measures - Maintains and applies knowledge of VISN 21 PBM, national, and local performance measures. - Uses dashboards to ensure quality metrics, population management, and cost-effective prescribing. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday varies may include some weekends and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40705-A</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. 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.<h3>Education</h3>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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.