Clinical Pharmacist

Job Title

Clinical Pharmacist

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Pharmacy Program Management: The Clinical Pharmacist will be involved in the independent professional practice of pharmacy in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Pharmacy Service Policies and Procedures, VA Regulations, and State and Federal Laws governing the practice of pharmacy. The Pharmacist will work in conjunction with Clinical Pharmacists, Clinical Pharmacy Specialists (CPS), and other health care professionals to form an organized team approach to the delivery of pharmaceutical care. Activities shall include:
• Maintains workflow patterns that assure timely delivery of pharmacy services, ensures accurate dispensing and record keeping, and oversees technical and nonprofessional staff in the ambulatory care, acute care, or CLC pharmacy setting.
• Effectively organizes workload, solves problems, and achieves established goals.
• Participates in quality improvement activities, pharmacoeconomic initiatives, committees, and workgroups in support of the pharmacy service strategic plan.
• Provides patient care utilizing an advanced in-depth knowledge of ambulatory care, acute care, and/or CLC specialized areas of pharmacy practice. Oversees day to day maintenance and operation of pharmacy equipment and automation, such as Scriptpro, Pyxis, Parata, and BD Cato.
• Assists in assuring that pharmacy programs are compliant with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements.
• Distributive:
• Review pharmacy orders to include patient information, dose and route, frequency of administration, patient allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities, duplication, and priority. Resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmacotherapeutic and formulary issues. Documents interventions as necessary.
• Finish, input and/or verify information and orders in the computer system and dispense medication in accordance with dosage form requirements (outpatient, unit dose, and IV admixture).
• Identify actual and potential drug-related problems prospectively, thereby eliminating duplication efforts, reducing medication errors, and increasing patient satisfaction.
• Dispenses controlled substances according to current policies, procedures, and standards established by DEA, FDA, VA, and Joint Commission.
• Effectively utilizes the Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture (VistA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and Bar Code Administration (BCMA) computer systems and other automated pharmacy equipment and computer software systems.
• Clinical Program Management: The Clinical Pharmacist shall provide and support clinical pharmacy services, pharmacoeconomic activities, and is directly responsible for monitoring and managing medication therapy for assigned patients. Activities shall include:
• Responsible for ambulatory care, acute care, or CLC pharmacy activities involving highly innovative methods of health care delivery.
• Participates in a patient-focused, team-based multidisciplinary model of patient centered care to promote positive patient outcomes through direct and indirect interaction with patients and providers.
• Evaluates appropriateness of pharmacologic therapy at clinic visits or during hospitalizations and as the level of care changes. Makes appropriate therapeutic recommendations and monitoring plans and documents the activities in the medical record via electronic progress notes.
• Provides drug information, observations on patient response to therapy, and develops appropriate recommendations regarding treatment alternatives or additional interventions to maximize patient care outcomes taking into consideration choice of therapy, safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics.
• Provides medication reconciliation and patient medication counseling verifying and documenting patient understanding of the medication, proper medication use, expected outcomes, how to obtain refills of the medication, along with how the current prescription will be processed.
• Under appropriate supervision by a physician, assumes authority to direct therapy, order lab tests, and medications as indicated for appropriate patient monitoring.
• Reports actual and/or potential medication errors or adverse events and participates in quality improvement initiatives that promote patient safety. Actively participates in the VA Adverse Drug Reaction (VA ADERS) reporting program.
• Plays a role in budget execution by working with and educating providers to ensure adherence to the formulary process so that patients receive the most cost-effective drug therapy.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm, 8:00am-4:30pm, or 8:30am-5:00pm

Telework: Not eligible

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs