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Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Informatics)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent must be a licensed, Pharmacist who is knowledgeable of and comprehends the objectives and functionality of the clinical and administrative patient care programs and their integration with the EHR systems in the delivery of patient care services. The clinical information system programs have a direct impact on the care and treatment of the patient.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/13/2022 to 07/05/2022
Salary
$115,327 to - $149,922 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Walla Walla, WA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSV-11533743-22-HBJ
Control number
659716400

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Duties

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The Pharmacist Clinical Informatics Specialist coordinates multiple program areas of complex Computerized Patient Record System operations, within a VA Medical Center by developing, managing, and overseeing multifaceted pharmacy applications which interface with the electronic record system. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating Pharmacy programs which interface with the electronic record system at a main VA facility, separate VA divisions, Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Outpatient Centers.
The duties and responsibilities of a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Informatics) include but are not limited to the following:

  • Coordinates and provides training to end-users on current software applications as needed, as well as how the packages integrate with each other in the Pharmacy Department working alongside the Pharmacy ADPAC/Informatics Specialist and Leadership Team, as well as in the areas of Medicine and CBOC's. Serves as a resource person and consultant on matters relating to pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practice as well as EHR/ Cerner.
  • Assists with the planning, preparation, implementation, training and support of multi-service software packages that automate the capture of clinical encounter information and its subsequent retrieval for pertinent departments in regard to EHR/ Cerner.
  • Coordinates with Information Technology staff, and other application coordinators, to implement integrated packages, resolve conflicts, provide secondary support on related software modules, and insure smooth operations in areas where package scope overlaps or is integrated with other services' function. Works with programmers in local testing of pharmacy software, identifies and resolves software problems and collaborates with developers regarding Pharmacy ordering enhancements.
  • Supports the clinical end users and resolves trouble tickets received from the Helpdesk. The incumbent manages the customization of the local site parameters, and address integration issues with other software packages. Periodically review's site parameters and site- specific files for accuracy and completeness. Monitors and coordinates efforts to correct deficiencies and errors that occur in the electronic medical record. Analyzes and evaluates processes related to information flow, and serves as a liaison between facilities, departments, and staff related to these processes.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 0800 - 1630
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • This is a Bargaining Unit Position

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/05/2022.

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.
  • Education (1) Graduate of a degree program in pharmacy from an approved college or university. The degree program must have been approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE), or prior to the establishment of ACPE, have been a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, 311 West Superior Street, Suite 512, Chicago, Illinois 60610-3537 Phone: (312) 664-3575), or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (2) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs or those who graduated from a U.S.-based non-ACPE accredited degree program meet the educational requirement if their degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the ACPE. This finding may be based on any of the following:(a) A letter of acceptance into a United States graduate pharmacy program recognized by the ACPE.(b) Written certification from the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission, 700 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068, Phone (847) 698-6227, that the individual has successfully passed the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination.(c) A letter from a United States college or university with a pharmacy degree program recognized by ACPE stating that the individual's pharmacy degree has been evaluated and found to be equivalent to its Bachelor of Pharmacy degree or higher.
  • Received an advanced degree from an accredited ACPE program or are on track to complete advanced degree from an accredited program by the time of hire/appointment.
  • 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 chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part.
  • English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
Preferred Experience: Program management experience, proficiency in Cerner Millennium and associated programs, automated pharmacy equipment, data collection/management, proficient in written and verbal communication, and proficient at Microsoft applications (word, excel, outlook, etc).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or received an advanced degree from an ACPE accredited program or are on track to complete advanced degree from an accredited program by the time of hire/appointment.

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. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSA's:
  1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
  2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
  3. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
  4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
  5. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15, Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard, GS-660.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (6 hours per day); near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. Constant noise, working closely with others, working alone, and unusual fatigue factors (keyboard/mouse noise).

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

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE:
A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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