Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Inpatient

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

The Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy Specialist functions as a drug therapy expert with a scope of practice which includes prescriptive authority associated with medication management for a minimum of 25% of appointed time, monitoring drug therapy, ordering laboratory tests, conducting medication reconciliation, assisting with Code Blue medical emergencies, and other specified clinical functions. Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Clinical: Evaluates patients in the inpatient settings for appropriateness of pharmacologic therapy. Develops a pharmaceutical care plan for patients who need pharmacotherapy and documents pharmaceutical care plan in pharmacy progress note. Performs medication review for indication, effectiveness, safety, adherence, therapeutic duplications, and therapeutic alternatives for non-formulary agents. Documents clinical activities including drug therapy recommendations and monitoring parameters. Performs medication reconciliation and updates medication profiles to include information about prescription and nonprescription drugs, dietary supplements, and alternative therapies. Screens patient's medication profile for adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, dosing (particularly in patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency) and/or drug allergies; records findings in CPRS chart as well as VA Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (ADERS) as appropriate. Assesses appropriateness of medication orders and ensures timely provision of appropriate medications. Assists with medical emergencies. Recommends appropriate drug therapy. For medications used in the inpatient setting, monitors medication effects and adjusts medication per applicable pharmacy policies and procedures. Orders necessary laboratory tests for monitoring and adjusting medications as part of interdisciplinary team. In consultation with treatment team and within parameters of scope of practice, writes prescriptions to modify existing drugs or doses (except controlled substances). Writes orders to discontinue medication if patient is no longer using medication, not tolerating medication, or if medication is not indicated for patient's conditions. Counsels patients to improve adherence with treatment plan. Assists in discharge planning and ensures continuity of care for patients leaving the Inpatient and/or Emergency Department. Attends and participates in multidisciplinary rounds, department meetings, conferences, and other meetings as required for the purpose of making recommendations in all pharmacy-related matters. Dispensing: Develops and maintains competence with inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy VISTA/CPRS software package and serves as a resource for others regarding order entry. Ensure orders are processed and accurately filled in a timely manner, including point-of-care drug distribution, where applicable. Evaluates medication orders including patient information, correctness of medication dose, route, and frequency of administration. Orders are checked for patient allergies, drug interactions, incompatibility, and duplications. Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including therapeutic or formulary issues. Documents interventions as necessary. Dispense controlled substances with accuracy according to current policies and procedures for inpatients and outpatients. Education: Interfaces with other health care providers and administrators to inform and ensure compliance with established pharmacy and medical center policies and procedures. Participates in self-development activities to maintain and improve professional competency. Administrative: Accurately completes all assignments in a timely manner as defined by Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor, Pharmacy Services for the Sacramento Division. Serves as a representative of Pharmacy Service on assigned committees and subcommittees Assures adherence with VA and other accrediting bodies in meeting medication use standards. Other duties as assigned by supervisor Work Schedule: Varied shift, Weekend & Holidays Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 11012F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Qualifications

Preferred Experience: Minimum of 1 year inpatient experience, or PGY1 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: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 3. 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 2 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 InternetBased Test (TOEFL iBT). 4. 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. Grandfathering Provision: All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of th