Summary

The Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and serves as an advanced practice provider. The PGx CPS provider delivers evidence-based comprehensive medication management through direct patient care and as part of the interdisciplinary team providing PGx management. The PGx CPS provider will incorporate a "personalized - proactive - patient-driven" approach to care.

Qualifications

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 (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 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 (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
• 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 (GS-12)
• 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 Preferred Experience: PGY1 or PGY2 Graduates highly preferred
• HPTs are highly encouraged to apply
• Experience in mental health or primary care pharmacy is preferred
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• 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.

Duties

• The Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist duties include but are not limited to: Prescribes - monitors - and adjusts medications related to PGx management
• Obtains pertinent medical history and obtains accurate medication related history and PGx family history from patient and via chart review
• Orders PGx testing when indicated to aid in the process of medication and dosage selection or deprescribing
• Monitors - and interprets pharmacogenomic results and other needed labs
• implements follow up on treatment actions as clinically indicated
• Evaluates third party pharmacogenomic testing results to determine clinical validity and utility for the Veteran served
• Utilizes race-agnostic PGx dosing guidelines and algorithms in accordance with PharmGKB statement on eliminating race-based medicine Identifies and reconciles drug-gene - drug-gene-disease - and drug-gene(i.e. - phenoconversion) interactions
• Ensures PGx testing and test results are handled in an ethical manner--- also considering social and legal implications---and that patients are provided access to their genetic data when applicable
• Designs patient-specific medication and dosage regimens based on a person's PGx profile and other pertinent factors - such as pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a medication - drug-drug - and drug-gene interactions - comorbidities - patient demographics - and laboratory data to optimize patient outcomes
• Provides resources and education that empower patients to make informed healthcare decisions about undergoing PGx testing and understanding their test results
• Ensures referral of complex or unstable patients to higher level care - when needed
• Performs limited external physical assessment and performs medication reconciliation in alignment with established policies or procedures
• Work Schedule: 0800-1630 - variable Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized