Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Summary

The CPS in Hospice and Palliative Care practices at an advanced clinical level, working independently and with palliative, primary, and specialty providers. The CPS may lead goals-of-care discussions and provides specialized medication management for veterans with serious diagnoses and their families, ensuring therapy aligns with patient goals throughout the disease process.

Duties

Responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to: presenting patients and families with the tenants of palliative care philosophy, assisting patients in identifying and updating goals of care, and designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring, altering and documenting care plans accordingly. The CPS will provide expertise in pain and symptom management at the end of life; will play a key role in educating & precepting pharmacy residents and others in this specialty area. FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: A. Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities that require a scope of practice 1) Core functions include face-to-face, telephone or video encounters with patients, medication management in practice areas identified in the individual scope of practice. 2) Functions as an integral member of the palliative care team to guide discussions with patients, families, and providers on goals of care and end of life issues, including medical therapy decisions and options. 3) Functions as a mid-level provider to design, implement, monitor, and adjust therapeutic drug plans to achieve patient goals of care through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. 4) Orders, performs reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. 5) Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy, i.e. changes in medication therapy, monitoring, clinical symptom management, and additional testing requirements. 6) According to patient goals, reduce the burden of medical procedures such as laboratory tests and deprescribing unnecessary medications; use non-invasive means to monitor toxicity and efficacy. B. Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities 1) Provide chart review and recommendations for providers on pain and symptom management for seriously ill patients. 2) Facilitate continuity of medication management among providers and across transitions of care. 3) Monitor and report drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Document findings regarding facility procedures. 4) Apply knowledge of normal laboratory values in the evaluation of patient care, recognize abnormalities and their clinical significance in the patient's palliative care, and make therapeutic adjustment recommendations based on objective laboratory findings. 5) Serve on Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and/or assist pharmacy service leadership with medication use evaluations and other quality and safety initiatives. 6) Promote and monitor compliance with established drug therapy policies. 7) Work with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local policy, directives, standards, and initiatives. C. Pharmacy Operations 1) Maintain a working knowledge of all operational aspects of pharmacy service, including all electronic medical record software, automation, distribution, labeling, bar code medication administration, packaging, documentation, controlled substance accountability, and inventory management. 2) Enforce national and local formulary decisions and adjudicate prior authorization drug requests in accordance with VA guidelines and clinical judgement. Assist providers in navigating this process and recommend formulary alternatives when appropriate. D. Education and Research 1) Maintain own professional competence by keeping abreast of information on new medications, current palliative care pharmacotherapy guidelines, innovations in pharmacy practice, and integrating this information into practice. 2) Participate in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, pharmacy residents, and other staff on assigned teams. 3) Demonstrate skill at using both written and verbal communication techniques in teaching others. E. Drug Information 1) Serve as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, compliance, pharmacotherapeutic symptom management and palliative care principles to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, and students. Use appropriate references to research drug information. 2) Demonstrate a good working knowledge of information resources, both written and electronic, as well as a solid grasp of the principles of literature evaluation and biostatistics. 3) Maintain a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management, focusing on palliative care and symptom management. F. Program Management 1) Serve on medical center, VISN and/or national committees as requested. 2) Adhere to all medical center and department policies and procedures. 3) Maintain the security of pharmaceuticals according to local policies and federal and state regulations. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 07:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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

A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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 09/08/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13045862. 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

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Resume Transcript Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. 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 (VA) License **Highly Recommended** Write to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document - KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement. Resume/CV exceeding two-pages PCS Orders Proof of Marriage Status Resume 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.

Additional information

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) consists of a comprehensive Tertiary Care Level I VA Health Care System; eleven VA Clinics and two Homeless Veterans Outreach Centers and has an affiliate agreement with the top ranked University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. ICVAHCS is home to the Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), one of the largest research departments in the VA. CADRE is an energetic and upbeat organization with 18 core investigators, 29 affiliate or associate investigators, 3 Career Development Awardees, 5 VA Quality Scholars, over 50 research personnel, and over 40 funded projects. https://www.va.gov/iowa-city-health-care/about-us/ The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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.