Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Summary

The Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) serves as an advanced practice provider with prescriptive authority under an approved Scope of Practice. The primary responsibility is to coordinate and provide comprehensive medication management (CMM) for patients requiring pain management as well as Pain Management Opioid Safety Program (PMOP) administrative duties.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, include but are not limited to the following: Clinical (Pain Management): Provides clinical pharmacy services to patients on opioid therapy through on-site consultation and direct patient management. Possesses knowledge of potential side effects of pain medications and their treatment and management strategies. Assesses the potential for pain medication non-compliance and develops strategies for patients that are non-compliant or exhibiting signs of aberrant behavior. Provides recommendations to pain team provider for tapering, withdrawal, and dosing of pain medications. Promotes rational pain management strategies utilizing current VA resources and develops pain management policies, when needed. 6) Provides pharmaceutical services to focus on therapeutic drug monitoring. Analyzes medication regimens to ensure the most effective, least toxic, and most economical treatment plan. Understands and applies the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in the geriatric population. Works collaboratively with other clinic providers to provide pharmaceutical care to patients as outlined by best evidence, VANIHCS procedures, and scope of practice. Program Management: Serves as a core member of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). Conducts prospective audit and feedback on antimicrobial prescribing for appropriateness, guideline adherence, and opportunities for de-escalation. Reviews cultures, microbiology results, and antimicrobial use patterns to identify optimization opportunities. Assists with therapeutic drug monitoring (e.g., vancomycin, aminoglycosides) and supports diagnostic stewardship efforts. Contributes ASP data to required local, VISN, and national reporting platforms. Provides ASP education to medical staff, trainees, and interdisciplinary teams. Supports development and implementation of facility-specific antimicrobial guidelines and pathways. Effectively directs drug therapy to conform to the national VA formulary. Works with other health care practitioners to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Acts as a liaison between the pain management and antimicrobial stewardship programs and Pharmacy Service. Educational: Provides academic detailing services consistent with PBM and VHA Academic Detailing Program standards. Conducts one-on-one and group outreach sessions to prescribers on evidence based topics. Utilizes audit and feedback data to tailor provider education and practice recommendations. Maintains proficiency in academic detailing communication techniques, educational materials, and PBM messaging. Participates in training, national calls, and continuous quality improvement activities related to Academic Detailing. Assists patients on the proper use and care of their medications. Provides pertinent drug information to physicians and allied health personnel through the use of seminars, formal and informal consultations, conferences, and lectures Administrative: Serves as a voting member of appropriate committees, such as the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee or Pain Committee. Serves on or acts as a consultant to professional committees. Supports facility Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP) requirements, including monitoring opioid safety dashboards, STORM outreach, naloxone distribution, and opioid risk mitigation strategies. Assists in tracking and validating national PMOP quality metrics and supports performance improvement initiatives. Collaborates with PMOP Coordinator, Pain Committee, Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Pharmacy leadership to standardize opioid safety processes. Aids in policy development related to safe opioid prescribing, chronic pain management, and controlled substance monitoring. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent is accountable to the Chief of Pharmacy Service, or their designee, for professional licensure and competency. However, daily activities should require minimal supervision, and problems should be managed independently. The incumbent uses initiative in planning and carrying out work requirements according to established scope of practice and care coordination agreement and in alignment with policies and procedures. The CPS provider's primary responsibilities are to provide care coordination and comprehensive medication management for patients treated within the assigned area(s) Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm Eastern Standard Time Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93117-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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 and evaluation

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.

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/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/07/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13077718. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) OF-306 Other (1) Other (2) Other (3) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. 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. 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.