Careers

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more 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. Education (1) 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.) 2) 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) Incumbent satisfies one for the following criteria: Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree (or equivalent) plus one item below: Five (5) years of practice with substantial component (>50%) of patient care activities in Infectious Diseases pharmacotherapy. Completion of a Pharmacy Practice or Specialty Residency and three additional years of practice with a substantial component (>50%) of patient care activities in Infectious Diseases pharmacotherapy. Completion of BOTH a Pharmacy Practice Residency and an Infectious Diseases Specialty Residency Doctor of Pharmacy degree plus one item below. Three (3) years of practice experience with a substantial component (>50%) of patient care activities in Infectious Diseases pharmacotherapy Completion of an Infectious Diseases Specialty Residency Incumbent ideally is Board Certified in Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy Crediting plans for post-graduate education and years of professional experience for pay level purposes are determined by the Pharmacist Professional Standards Board policies. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: e. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Preferred Experience: Prefer: PGY 1 Prefer: PGY 2 Infectious Disease or experience >5 years Prefer: Board Certification Infectious Disease Prefer: Excellent communication skills and team collaboration skills Assignments. Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 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. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. \d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. e. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Work Environment: Work is performed clinic setting and within an outpatient/inpatient Pharmacy setting. The position requires patient interaction which requires universal precautions and other normal safety precautions. The incumbent wears personal protective equipment (PPE) when in contact with patients with a contagious disease or when in contact with contaminated drainage. Safe work habits are practiced. the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. The work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. ["The Clinical Pharmacist (Infectious Disease/Antimicrobial Therapy) must be a licensed pharmacist and serves as the Pharmacist Case Manager for patients receiving antibacterial, antiviral, and/or antifungal therapy. In-depth knowledge and extensive experience in Infectious Disease including HIV medication management is required. This position, located at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, is based at the New York, New York site and organizationally is under the Pharmacy Clinical section of Pharmacy Service. The incumbent may make periodic visits to other NYHHCS sites. The incumbent will be supervised jointly by the Clinical Manager, Pharmacy Service and Chief, Infectious Disease. Clinical: Clinical activities will account for 90% of the pharmacist's workload (70% inpatient care, 20% outpatient care) Works with other clinical staff in developing and establishing criteria and guidelines for patients receiving antibacterial, antiviral, and/or antifungal therapy. In collaboration with the Infectious Diseases Staff, develops new programs to improve the effectiveness and safety of inpatient and outpatient antimicrobial therapy. On a daily basis, monitors all inpatients receiving antibacterial, antiviral, and/or antifungal therapy. Monitors inpatients and outpatients who are receiving parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Based on established criteria and guidelines, determines when intravenous antimicrobial therapy can be converted to oral therapy. Collaborates with medical staff throughout NYHHCS, case managers and non-VA agencies to ensure the safe and effective administration of parenteral antimicrobial therapy to inpatients and outpatients. Evaluates a wide variety of patients in assigned patient care areas and makes appropriate recommendations on antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal therapy. Designs, recommends, and implements pharmacotherapeutic regimens and corresponding monitoring plans. On a regular basis, meets with Infectious Disease staff to discuss patient medication therapy. Identifies those patients that are ready to be discharged. Counsels patients regarding adherence to antimicrobial therapy in the ambulatory care setting. Administrative: Administrative and educational activities will account for 10% of the pharmacist's workload. Establishes policies and procedures regarding pharmacy management of Infectious Disease/Antibacterial therapy. Ensures assigned administrative projects and reports are submitted in a timely fashion. Independently prepares reports regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of inpatient and outpatient antimicrobial programs. Serves on various committees and task forces. Ensures JCAHO, CAP, CARF, and any other accreditation requirements are met in relation to the pharmacy management of Infectious Disease/Antibacterial Therapy. Effectively utilizes the VISTA/CPRS computer system. Education ad Research: Participates in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other medical center personnel as required. Effectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Is able to adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Is able to accurately assess and document patient comprehension. Is able to refer patients to educational programs provided at the medical center by multidisciplinary teams. Is skilled at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others. Drug Information: Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians and students. Uses appropriate references to research drug information. Has a good working knowledge of information resources, both written and electronic. Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management. Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 00000\nEDRP Authorized: Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov,, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance,\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]