The VA St. Louis Healthcare System is seeking a Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) specialized in Internal Medicine and Specialty Care Services. This position is responsible for providing comprehensive medication management focused in nephrology services, including providing consults for inpatient and outpatient settings, and direct patient care management. Duties include development, implementation, and maintenance of order sets, protocols, clinical algorithms, and related policy. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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/. 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. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: To be considered at the GS-13 grade you must meet the basic requirements and the requirements listed below: Experience. You must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-12. You must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities, (KSAs): Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. 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 the program area. Expert knowledge of specialized program area. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: Preferred qualifications are completion of a PGY-2 residency in nephrology, internal medicine, pharmacotherapy, or other applicable specialty care area and/or 2 years of similar clinical experience within the last 5 years. Other preferred credentials include Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties or other comparable certification. References: VA Handbook 5005/55 Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-44 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8 hours); Standing (8 hours); Kneeling (1 hours); Repeated bending (4 hours); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Specific visual requirement: DVA correctable to 20/40; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted). ["Major Duties and Responsibilities Clinical Practice Serves as an advanced practice provider within individual scope of practice. The CPP may review, initiate, modify, and monitor pharmaceutical care plans. General focus of practice includes nephrology service patient needs, including monitoring and management of related treatments and potential complications/adverse events (i.e., potassium binders, hypertension management, chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease related conditions) along with associated supportive care. Other duties may include cross-coverage of other areas of internal medicine, specialty care, and clinical pharmacy services as needed. In collaboration with specialty service providers, assesses the appropriateness and effectiveness of patient's medication regimen by reviewing medical records, other interdisciplinary communications and interviewing/examining the patients as appropriate. This includes assessment of patient presentation of signs, symptoms, laboratory tests and diagnoses; recognizes and lists important medical problems, disease states, symptoms or abnormal laboratory values that may necessitate altering the therapeutic regimen or which may be induced by drug therapy. Appropriately documents in the patient's medical record, including medication history, medical history, physical examination and ongoing patient specific monitoring of therapy. Designs and/or adjusts therapeutic regimen based on patient-specific information, which includes determining a therapeutic endpoint, selecting an appropriate medication, dose and related therapy, and establishing a monitoring plan. Monitors and assesses therapeutic and adverse effects of drug therapy (including drug interactions) through selection and evaluation of physical and laboratory parameters and makes referrals as acute management problems arise. Serves as a knowledgeable drug therapy expert in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical treatment guidelines. Development and maintenance of order entry, review, and processing processes that facilitate accurate, efficient, safe, evidence-based, patient individualized, and cost-effective processes and care. Assists with formulary development and management. Supports formulary and promotes rational medication use within evidence-based practices. Education, Research, and Professionalism Participates in DUE/MUE, research, and/or scholarly activity development, data collection and analysis to provide feedback and information regarding medication use thereby ensuring safe and effective drug management and pharmacy functions. Provides formal and informal education, training, and drug information in the area of pharmacology, therapeutics, pharmacokinetics and related subjects to pharmacists, providers, nursing staff, health care trainees, and other health care professionals as appropriate. Contributes to Pharmacy Newsletters and other written educational materials as assigned. Attends and actively participates in clinical pharmacy activities, i.e., meetings, staff development and residency-related functions. Serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students and residents. Plans, coordinates and provides orientation/education/training/mentoring to pharmacists new to the facility or service. Plans and coordinates formal and informal staff development to all staff within area of assignment. Interacts with the internal/external customers in a manner that proactively enhances customer service and satisfaction. Exhibits courtesy, tact, cooperation, and respect for veterans, their families, visitors, and other staff at all times. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Ad hoc may be authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?Readying Warriors and Caring for Heroes! This position is located within Surgical Services at the CAPT James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL. The FHCC is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and Department of Navy (DoN)/Department of Defense (DoD). It is larger than just a single facility, but rather it is a fully-integrated medical care facility with a single combined VA and Navy mission. The combined mission of the FHCC means active duty military and their family members, military retirees, and eligible veterans receive health care at this facility.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Join the FHCC team of energetic, career-minded professionals! For additional information, click onhttp://www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov/index.asp.