Summary The Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) acts as a representative of the Pharmacy Service, in a variety of positions throughout the Healthcare System. The CPP functions at the highest level of clinical pharmacy practice and works independently under a scope of practice in practice area(s) based on their knowledge, competencies, clinical experience, and skills. Responsibilities The Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) is an advanced practice provider with a high level of autonomy and exercises independent decision making within their Scope of Practice (SOP). Comprehensive medication management (CMM) by the Mental Health CPP is primarily through direct patient care activities. The MH CPP will be responsible for providing CMM in an outpatient general mental health clinic and primary care mental health integration clinic. Duties Include but not limited to: Clinical Practice Coordinates, develops, manages and controls the pharmacy practice programs for Behavioral Health Service Line Functions independently under an individual scope of practice as defined by the health care system for chronic disease states with comprehensive medication management to provide pharmaceutical care to patients. This includes but is not limited to the design, implementation, and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans to achieve positive, definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record. Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required and communicates findings with other relevant staff when applicable. Monitors for and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and medication adherence issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Applies knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care; recognizes and takes necessary and appropriate action on significant abnormalities. Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. Reviews literature routinely to provide an evaluation of efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness for routine patient care and projects as assigned. Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management. Assists with Medication Use Evaluations (MUE) and other Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee related activities. Documents clinical interventions in a timely and professional manner as appropriate. Promotes and monitors compliance for established drug therapy policies in accordance with VHA/DoD guidance or latest evidence-based practice. Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Uses appropriate references to research drug information and serves as an expert on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians and students. Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers. Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as requested. Education and Research Maintains a general knowledge of VHA, DEA and Joint Commission regulations. Responsible for maintaining and improving professional competency by keeping current with information on new medications, therapies, and innovations in Pharmacy practice. Responsible for maintaining all continuing education required for licensure, as well as all competency and training specific to area of practice. Responsible for keeping abreast of changes within Pharmacy Service (i.e., formulary additions and deletions, interdepartmental memoranda, relevant station memoranda, policies and procedures) Participates in the training and in-servicing of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Students/Residents, and other medical center personnel as required. Includes development of educational material. 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. When needed, 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. Serves as preceptor for Pharmacy Students and Pharmacy Residents in accordance with established protocols and standards. Assists in new employee orientation process where applicable Assists in the development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical Pharmacy services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Negotiable 1-2 days/week based on job duties. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized for this position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in a direct patient care position unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position. 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). 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. Physical Requirements: Pre-employment physical is required. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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: GS-13 Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Examples of GS-12 level equivalent experience are but not limited to: 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; and skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist: 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. In addition to meeting the GS-12 KSA the Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs at the GS-13: 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. Preferred Experience: PGY-2 in mental health or at least 3 years of experience in mental health setting References: VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G15 dated June 7, 2012. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. ****All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes, to support eligibility. **** Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.