Duties include but are not limited to the following:
Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities that require a scope of practice
- Functions as a mid-level provider to design, implement, adjust, and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas
- Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy.
- Orders consults (i.e., Nutrition, Social work, Prosthetics) as needed to maximize positive drug therapy outcomes.
- Participates in daily rounds with their assigned medical team and 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, cost, and formulary issues.
- Performs targeted disease-state management to optimize therapy of chronic conditions (examples include Diabetes, Heart Failure, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) that led to admission and facilitates handoff to appropriate specialty or primary care team for further management
- Performs pharmacokinetic monitoring and dose adjustment, renal dose adjustments, anticoagulant therapy management, and antimicrobial stewardship as needed.
- Alerts medical team when disease progression or adverse drug events occur that require treatment interventions.
- Perform physical assessments as needed to monitor the efficacy and safety of drug therapy.
Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities
- Review patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings to prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed.
- Serves as an expert on drug usage in assigned area for medical and nursing staff. Uses appropriate references to research drug information.
- Performs medication reconciliation upon admission, transfer and discharge, as needed, in collaboration with the transition of care clinical pharmacists and technicians and informs healthcare providers of any discrepancies found.
- Assesses the educational needs of patients and caregivers and effectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Can adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Can accurately assess and
document patient comprehension. Can refer patients to educational programs provided at the medical center.
- Monitors, reports and documents drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues.
- Reviews and evaluates non-formulary/prior authorization drug requests for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria.
- Assists Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee with medication use evaluations and other safety initiatives.
- Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives.
- Reviews and verifies medication orders for appropriateness and to reduce potential risk of adverse drug events.
Education and Research
- Employs effective written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others.
- Provides educational presentations to students, residents, and professional healthcare staff to enhance their knowledge and skills and to promote appropriate, safe and effective drug use.
- Serves as preceptor for pharmacy students and/or pharmacy residents and actively participates in student/resident presentations, journal clubs and preceptor development activities.
- Assists with the education and training of new pharmacy staff members in assigned areas.
- Actively collaborates with other health care providers in the design and implementation of research protocols, activities, or projects to enhance the quality of patient care provided by the VA Healthcare System.
Administrative
- Actively participates in self-development activities and completes annual competencies to maintain professional competence in assigned practice area
- Documents clinical activities and workload in CPRS accurately, timely and professionally, including completion of all consults and encounter forms.
- Actively engages in process improvement, practice expansion, and/or best practice development or adoption activities to improve patient care, work efficiency, or financial stewardship.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-1530
Telework: (Adhoc) As determined by agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 40189F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Starting at $144,907 Per Year (GS 13)
