Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) has an immediate opening for Ambulatory Care Pain Management Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP).
The incumbent functions at the highest level of clinical practice, top of licensure and serves as an advanced practice provider working independently with prescribing privileges as outlined in the individual's pain management-based scope of practice. This position will primarily support the interdisciplinary Pain Management Team, Interventional Pain Clinic, STORM Team, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) Primary Care in Monterey and Capitola; as well as provide back-up coverage of services performed by the other Pain Management CPPs during absences. This position will perform evidenced-based comprehensive medication management (CMM) through direct patient care modalities (via face-to-face, VA Video Connect, and telephone appointments). The Pain Management CPP will clinically and critically adjudicate pain-related prior authorization drug requests, participate in quality improvement, process improvement, research activities and will serve as a preceptor for PGY1/PGY2 Pharmacy residents and APPE pharmacy students.

The Pain Management CPP responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Direct Patient Care Activities:

• Functions as an advanced practice provider for comprehensive pain medication management (CMM) to achieve defined outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned care area(s).
• Serves as a clinical resource for opioid stewardship, including buprenorphine induction, titration, and conversion for pain management.
• Functions as part of the interdisciplinary team to provide CMM for pain management which may include, but is not limited to:
  • Designs, implements, and monitors therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes by direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas.
  • Obtains pertinent medical history and obtains accurate pain medication related history from patients and via chart review and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate.
  • Orders, monitors, and interprets toxicology screens and other needed labs; implements (orders, adjusts, discontinues) medication actions as supported by lab interpretations and clinical needs.
  • Performs rating scales on pain control, symptoms and functional status, and suicide risk assessment. Queries and documents PDMP findings.
  • Screens for substance use disorders when indicated, performs brief interventions when indicated, including addressing aberrant behaviors. Provides overdose education and prescribes naloxone when needed.
  • Uses available population health tools to identify and address risk mitigation needs focused on safe pain care.
  • Reviews patient medication regimens for cost effective drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed.

Safe and Effective Medication Use Activities:

• Practices in accordance with VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of Opioids in the Management of Chronic Pain.
• Participates in the appropriate, effective, and safe use of pharmaceuticals by contributing to criteria development, data collection, quality assurance and drug use evaluation and other quality improvement activities for core practice area(s) and medication assistance treatment for Pain Management.
• Participates in departmental and interdisciplinary committees to improve patient safety, therapeutic outcomes, and cost savings. Supports and promotes compliance with established drug therapy policies, formulary management and criteria or prior authorization requirements that have been approved by national, VISN, or local pharmacy benefits management (PBM) and focuses on quality patient care in a cost-effective manner.

Conditions of employment

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.
• 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.

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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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. (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.
• 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).

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 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist:

Preferred Experience:

• Completed a PGY2 Pain Pharmacy Residency or have equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
• Understand regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
• Demonstrate strong/effective program management skills during previous employment. This includes solving problems, coordinating, and organizing individual AND group responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
• Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Experience: In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1-year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.In addition, Pharmacists assigned to this position must also demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical management decisions.
• Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
• Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise
• Expert knowledge of specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy
• Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate lifting, walking, bending, stooping, standing, pushing, and pulling. Ability to lift/push/pull light loads, carts weighing 40 pounds or more. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination. Normal range for hearing and vision.

How you will be evaluated

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

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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.