Staff Pharmacist (Clinical Contact Center/VA Health Connect)

The VISN CCC Clinical Pharmacist's primary responsibility is the utilization of evidence- based pharmaceutical care services through direct interactions with patients and providers as well as the safe provision of pharmaceuticals and medication information in a timely manner. This pharmacist promotes and manages drug therapy based on current clinical knowledge and established policies. Responsibilities also include but are not limited to: Completion of electronic prescription orders, checking of completed prescription orders for accuracy and safety, management of VA and VISN formularies, and assistance in achieving VISN goals related to medication management and patient care. Receiving and handling escalated telephone calls from and responding to veterans, their family members and/or legal representatives regarding a broad range of topics, including: appropriate use of medications and medical devices, basic billing inquiries, clinical questions, medication refills/renewals, drug-drug interactions, adverse effects, food-drug interactions, product availability, and pharmacy policies as appropriate. Monitoring provider's orders for appropriateness of therapy and reports drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, incompatibilities, side effects and patient compliance issues and appropriately interacts with the ordering provider or attending as needed. Actively reviewing patient medication regimens for cost effective drug selection, dosing, contraindications, therapeutic duplication, appropriate route and method of administration, drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Providing findings and responses to drug information requests to prescribers in a timely manner and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Utilizing patient care information systems such as VistA and CPRS to obtain critical patient data elements and to document clinical interventions and other pertinent patient care issues in a timely and professional manner. Managing recalls and medication shortage situations by substituting alternate dosage strengths or products per facility policy. Entering supply orders appropriate for patient care per VISN CCC policy. Managing various actions, as appropriate, for medication orders to include flagging prescriptions, managing view alerts, using the "hold" function, and generating unsigned discontinued orders using the "service reject" function. Reviewing prescription renewal verification requests and taking appropriate action to extend refills until the next scheduled appointment under the provider's name per VISN CCC policy. Participating in continuous daily improvement, Unit Practice Councils and similar quality improvement initiatives. Participating in the training and in-servicing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy residents, pharmacy students, and other medical center personnel as required. Acting as a point-of-contact for outside services in assisting with patient care issues. Completing additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: CCC is open a 365-day 24/7, 80 hours per pay period. Work schedules will be determined based on staffing needs and may require rotating shifts. Holidays and weekend work are required. Virtual: This is a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized