Clinical Pharmacist - Care in the Community

A pharmacist in this assignment handles routine medication-related activities in accordance with local, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and national policies and regulations. The pharmacist will directly be managing and coordinating prescription related benefits associated with community care programs as well as assist in the development, review and enforcement of policies and procedures related to community care.

Duties include but not limited to: CLINICAL Applies basic knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics to monitor and assess patient therapies. Completes medication reconciliation and assists the provider with medication management challenges (e.g. non-adherence, adverse drug event identification and reporting, chronic narcotic use, polypharmacy, drug/drug interactions, etc) as needed. Interview patients to ascertain significant past medical history and medication history. Identify patient-specific medication issues, including appropriateness, drug interactions, efficacy, therapeutic duplications, adverse drug events and compliance problems. Improves clinical care to veterans through interventions to reduce the frequency of drug related problems and adverse drug events. In collaboration with other staff, educate the veterans and caregivers regarding proper use of medications. Recommend medication education materials for patient use. Document all clinical activities, update problem lists, and update medication allergy information in the medical record in a timely manner. May refer to appropriate services as needed via consultations. Collaborate with providers in the community for patients' authorized care. Oversee Care in the Community Technicians to distribute proper workload and tasks for maximized outcomes and efficiency. Build strong partnership with Community Care Service to facilitate patients' authorization status. Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relations with others which reflect a cooperative attitude. Evaluate non-formulary medication requests from assigned providers or clinics. Triage incoming NF/PADR medications based on criticality and request for urgent information from community providers. Evaluate medication regimens for drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions and adverse drug reactions. EDUCATION Precepts and orients pharmacy students, residents, and other trainees as part of pharmacy educational programs. Provide written and verbal drug information to educate patients and health care professionals in both formal and informal sessions including in-services and discharge counseling. Participates in and attends staff development presentations for all Pharmacy Service personnel. DISPENSING Screens and evaluates prescriber's medication orders for appropriateness, dispensing outpatient medication, including controlled substances based on current pharmacy practice and standards. Utilizes VISTA and CPRS packages to maintain complete patient medication records. Utilizes a broad base of knowledge for finishing orders in VISTA, checking laboratory results and finding other patient related data in the medical center computer. Integrates this information into the prescription filling process. Ensures professional standards, regulations, laws and hospital guidelines are met when dispensing medications. PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY FOR THE CARE OF NEW MEXICO VA HCS VETERANS The authority to alter medications without co-signature of a physician is limited to the following: 1) Discontinue medications if the patient is no longer using, the medication is being replaced by another, there is no therapeutic benefit, or the patient is intolerant to the medication or having adverse side effects. ADMINISTRATION Reports directly to and requires minimal supervision by the Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor. Promotes cost effectiveness of the formulary. Participates as a Non-Formulary (NF) Consult reviewer for assigned area(s) and completes consults within established timeframe. Provides any reports, data collection, quality assurance information and medication use evaluation information as requested. Assures that all prescriptions and actions by providers meet proper eligibility criteria on a patient specific basis and that National Formulary and Non-Formulary procedures are followed. This includes adherence to all national, VISN and local criteria-for-use treatment algorithms. Documents clinical interventions in appropriate manner. Assist in the development, review, and enforcement of policies and SOPs. Manage time conservatively to reduce interruptions to the workflow and optimize results. CUSTOMER SERVICE Interacts with patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and student/resident trainees in a courteous, helpful, cooperative and compassionate manner. Responds positively and in a timely manner to customer request for service or information. Meets schedules and commitments, adjusting to changing needs. Solicits and listens to patient/customer feedback, positive and negative. Seeks to continually improve customer/patient satisfaction with pharmacy services provided. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.