Summary This position provides the opportunity to be part of the further development, expansion and implementation of the existing Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). The Antimicrobial Stewardship/Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist will be part of a multidisciplinary team and co-lead the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program with the ASP Medical Director, with the goal of achieving quality patient outcomes, cost savings and avoidance of unintended adverse events related to antimicrobial use. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEwsTotal-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties may include, but are not limited to: Essential Functions: 1) Further development of inpatient and outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. 2) Maintaining existing protocols for approval of restricted antimicrobials, prospective audit and feedback of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and optimizing use of infectious diseases rapid diagnostics. 3) Developing new protocols and managing antimicrobial stewardship projects and initiatives. 4) Analysis of antimicrobial utilization data and preparation and presentation of reports. 5) Mentoring front line pharmacists regarding optimal infectious disease care and antimicrobial stewardship. 6) Participation in departmental and interdisciplinary committees to improve patient safety, therapeutic outcome and cost savings. 7) Be responsible for the care of patients as well as the development of effective, professional relationships within the multidisciplinary team. 8) Designs and provides effective in-service education for physicians, nurses, pharmacy technicians, and other practitioners on antimicrobial use issues. Clinical-Direct Patient Care: 1) Functions as a mid-level provider to design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. 2) Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy including changes in medication therapy, referral to primary care or specialty provider. 3) Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy, i.e. changes in medication therapy, monitoring, and additional testing requirements. 4) Clinical pharmacy specialists will determine if a referral to the physician is necessary when disease progression occurs, or adverse drug events require treatment interventions. 5) Physical assessment 6) Follows up via tele-health, e-consults, scan echo and other technical modalities to see patients. Clinical- Indirect Patient Care: 1) Review patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, 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. 2) Serves as an infectious diseases resource to staff pharmacists in all areas of clinical practice. 3) Maintains effective liaison between the Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy and Education, Pharmacy Service and the Infectious Disease Section identifying problems related to drug prescribing, drug therapy drug distribution and drug administration. Consults with Infectious Diseases staff regarding drug, pharmaceutical problems and pharmacy operating policies and procedures when necessary. 4) Obtains medication histories from patients and summarizes significant findings in the medical record and/or to the provider as appropriate. ` 5) Monitor and report drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Actively participates in the VAADERS Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting program. 6) Apply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognizes significant abnormalities, and make dose adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. 7) Reviews and evaluates requests for non-formulary and restricted drugs for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. 8) Assists Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee with medication use evaluations and other safety initiatives. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM M-F Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56375O Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their Web site at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) OR (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. Preferred Experience: Completion of a PGY1 (Pharmacy Practice Residency) and completion of a PGY2 (Specialty Residency) in Infectious Diseases -or- 2 years experience as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist or Infectious Diseases Pharmacist. Grade Determinations: In order to be found qualified at the GS-13 grade level, the incumbent must meet first meet the following requirements at the GS-12 level: Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following: (1) 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, OR (2) Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program. Pharmacists assigned to this position must also demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): (1) Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice. (2) Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff. (3) Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security. (4) Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. In addition to these requirements at the GS-12, the incumbent must possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Pharmacists assigned to this position must also demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and 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 a 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G15 - Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The work performed is predominately clerical in nature and requires no special physical standards. The work is usually performed in an office setting, working with others and/or alone. As typical in an office setting, there is the possibility for multiple distractions from normal operating functions and the incumbent is expected to be able to physically perform the duties of the position, aides permitted (which may include walking, sitting, standing, reaching, and bending.) The work may also include the need for light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.) of work. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.