Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Mental Health)

A Clinical Pharmacist Specialist/Practitioner (CPP) for the Mental Health Outpatient/Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) will provide clinical services to veterans managed by the Mental Health services at the VA Loma Linda Health Care System. The CPP also represents Pharmacy Services in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder clinics and serves as a representative in various hospital functions. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States Education: Applicants must possess one of the following: 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 ( 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: (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 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 Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT). Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (, 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess the following grade requirements. GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist: Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition, applicants must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters Assignment: The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. A CPS plays a defined role in budgetary execution and serves as a mid-level provider who functions to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments; helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; performing physical assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. 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. ["The City of Loma Linda is a scenic community located within eyesight of the towering peaks of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Loma Linda is located approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles in San Bernardino County. While it is near the highly developed job market of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, it does provide a small town setting for your home, work or recreation. Adjacent to California's Interstate 10 freeway, Loma Linda is freeway close to beaches, mountains and desert resorts. At VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, our health care teams are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Clinical Pharmacist Specialist/Practitioner (CPP) duties include but are not limited to: Acts as an independent provider operating under a scope of practice and providing expertise to other members of the multidisciplinary team. Provides 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. Conducts patient interviews to include, but not limited to, medical history, medication reconciliation, assessment and treatment planning. Conducts standardized mental health exams and questionnaires as appropriate for side effect and symptom monitoring. Documents all patient interactions and assessments in the medical record promptly and accurately. Ensures safe, appropriate, cost-effective medication therapies for patients, in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols. Communicates regularly with the veteran's treatment team members concerning the ongoing management of the veteran. Interacts 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. Reviews medications and allergies for accuracy, appropriateness, safety, and interactions. Orders labs for monitoring of medications and side effects, and adjust medications based on treatment guidelines and patient status within scope of practice. Records incidences of clinical impact on patient where interaction with physicians and/or nurses has positively affected the patient's course of therapy. Makes 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. Discontinues 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. Provides input to the Pharmacy Service Chief and other Pharmacy supervisors in establishing and accomplishing the Pharmacy's missions and goals. Contributes to planning, maintaining, expanding, and coordinating all clinical pharmacy activities in their area of assignment. Participates in pharmacy clinical administrative tasks including, but not limited to, clinic maintenance and profile management. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm; may vary based on needs of service Telework: May be authorized based on needs of service. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]