Clinical Pharmacy Specialist-Pain Management

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.

The ambulatory care clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) is responsible for planning, implementing and operating the clinical pharmacy programs he/she is assigned to cover in the pain management interdisciplinary team. The CPS is the medication expert in these assigned areas. He/she functions as a consultant to other health care professionals. The incumbent functions at the highest level of clinical practice, work independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Program Management Accepts a shared responsibility for the overall management of clinic, including but not limited to developing & maintaining clinic grids, sustaining clinic utilization, managing missed opportunities, coordinating clinic cancellations, and restructuring as necessary to effectively maintain patient care in response to staffing needs. Accepts a shared responsibility in the development and ongoing review of all policies and operating procedures specific to clinical practice area. Responsible for the appropriate, effective and safe use of pharmaceuticals within practice area. Initiates quality assurance and improvement activities, including but not limited to medication use evaluations, medication management, monitoring and safety, criteria development, and policy creation and/or revision, that demonstrate improved patient care outcomes.

Responsible for identifying, measuring, and reporting relevant outcomes as related to specific clinical pharmacy practice. Contributes to budgetary stewardship by incorporating cost savings initiatives into clinical practice and identifying potential cost reduction opportunities to improve overall healthcare services. Independently resolves provider and patient care issues, concerns, and questions as related to clinical practice.

Clinical Functions Provides clinical coverage in the pharmacist-run clinics in pain management. Operates independently under a defined scope of practice to initiate, change, and discontinue prescription and OTC medications, devices, and supplies in an outpatient clinical pharmacy practice setting. In collaboration with the appropriate provider, provides additional advanced medication services outside of defined clinical scope without need for provider co-signature and excluding controlled substances.

Incorporates pharmacoeconomic considerations into clinical practice to promote cost-effective and evidenced-based drug therapy, considering but not limited to drug selection, dosage form, administration frequency, duration of therapy, monitoring, and efficacy. Actively participates in the process of medication reconciliation including updating the medication profile to reflect an accurate, active list of VA and non-VA medications, and discontinuing duplicate medications or medications that the patient is not taking. Manages out-of-stock situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths.

Ensures adherence with the VA formulary and P&T Committee drug therapy & policy recommendations. Distributive Functions Verifies computer prescriptions (with provider order entry) for patients in his/her assigned clinic area or other areas as assigned. Coordinates medication orders with central pharmacy or CMOP when necessary.

Participates with the pharmacy management in formulation and implementation of policies and procedures to assure accurate preparation, compounding and dispensing of all therapeutic and diagnostic agents and other supplies furnished by Pharmacy Service to beneficiaries through the various inpatient and outpatient functional areas. Educational Functions Precepts pharmacy students, PGY-1 and PGY-2 pharmacy residents including providing constructive feedback regarding quality of educational experience and preceptor interaction/involvement. Participates in the education and training of new employees or employees introduced to selected practice areas.

Administrative Functions Assumes an ownership role for administrative activities related to advanced practice setting, including reviewing consults in a timely manner, accurately completing and closing encounters, independently resolving provider and patient care issues, and assuring appropriate coverage for clinical services. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62093F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized