Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Mental Health)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

This position is in the Pharmacy Service at the Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) for Mental Health is a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and completed an American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists accredited Clinical Pharmacy Practice Residency, or other equivalent experience. The incumbent is responsible for Mental Health clinical pharmacy activities and consultations in areas such as outpatient mental health, inpatient mental health, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Mental Health residential rehabilitation treatment programs (RRTP), Primary Care - Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) and other mental health care areas. Primary responsibilities will be providing comprehensive medication management to Veterans within the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) for Mental Health will work with the Interdisciplinary Team(s) to assist in medication reconciliation, comprehensive medication management, therapeutic monitoring, lab ordering and monitoring, and patient education. They also may assist with opioid service agreements, review pharmacologic modalities used and make patient specific recommendations to improve patient pain and functional status and reduce adverse effects, while assisting to identify aberrant behaviors related to pharmacologic therapy -The incumbent will provide education to staff in the mental health care setting. The CPS may be assigned clinical cross-coverage duties as needed to meet the needs of the medical center. Assists in other patient care areas as deemed necessary to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. Duties include but are not limited to: All inpatient/outpatient orders are checked to include patient information, correct medication, dose, route, and frequency of administration. Orders are checked for patient allergies, drug interactions, incompatibilities, duplication and priority. Identifies, interprets, and resolves prescribing and dispensing issues, including pharmaco-therapeutics and formulary. Documents interventions as necessary. Dispenses controlled substances with accuracy according to current policy and procedures for inpatients and outpatients. Acts as an advanced practice provider, with specialty training in Mental Health with a scope of practice, providing expertise to other providers, pharmacists, nursing, and other disciplines, as appropriate. As part of the interdisciplinary team, appropriately renders care to mental health patients, including, but not limited to, prescribing medications, to include initiation, continuation, discontinuation, and altering therapy, based upon established formulary or protocols under the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist's Scope of Practice; physical assessment; monitoring medication regimens; ordering and analyzing necessary laboratory tests; adjusting medications; and assisting in the management of medical emergencies, adverse drug reactions, and acute and chronic disease states. Provides drug information, observations on patient response to therapy, and appropriate recommendations regarding treatment alternatives or additional interventions to maximize patient outcomes taking into consideration choice of therapy, safety, efficacy, formulary, pharmacoeconomics, adverse drug reactions, allergies and disease states. Information and/or changes is communicated to the interdisciplinary team. Assist in preparing patients for discharge by evaluating the patients' medications, ordering necessary medications and providing education to the patient and/or caregiver. Provides oral and written consultation with other health care professionals regarding drug therapy selection or management (including drug induced problems) in an accurate, timely and professional manner. Designs a therapeutic regimen or plan, based on patient-specific information that includes establishing a therapeutic endpoint, electing an appropriate drug and related therapy, and establishing an appropriate dosage regimen. Supervises and trains pharmacy residents and students in Mental Health. Evaluates residents and students based on performance, presentations and examinations. Provides in-service presentations on mental health topics to students, residents, and professional healthcare staff. Maintains an organized and structured acute care rotation for pharmacy students and residents. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 07:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 50230-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn9hredrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 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/.