CLINICAL PHARMACIST, GS-660-12
INPATIENT PSYCHIATRY
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
1. Clinical Pharmacist, GS-12, requires a Pharm.D. degree from an American Association of
Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) approved college or university. A year of experience
comparable to GS-11 and proven expertise as a clinical pharmacist in Psychiatry is
required. Must have a valid Pharmacy license from any state.
2. SCOPE – The clinical pharmacist assigned to inpatient Psychiatry is responsible for
providing clinical services for all patients in his/her assigned area. Promotes the most
appropriate, safest, and cost-effective drug therapy to achieve outcomes that improve the
patient’s quality of life. Primary functions include assessing and monitoring response to drug
therapy, participating in treatment team activities, providing drug information, and counseling
patients on the proper use of medications in the inpatient Psychiatry setting. Participates in
formulary management and promotion of national VA treatment guidelines. He/she will work
with Psychiatry treatment team members to minimize medication errors, prevent and manage
adverse drug reactions, promote patient education and compliance and decrease drug
wastage and duplication.
3. POSITION SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS
a. CLINICAL – The clinical pharmacist will function as a consultant to
physicians and other health care providers in the following clinical circumstances:
1) Takes part in the initial development and ongoing evaluation of patient medication
history & regimen.
2) Promotion of the most effective use of medications, and works with the practitioners
to decrease medical center costs through reduction of non-formulary medications and
assure that medication orders are written according to approved guidelines/protocols
as determined by the P&T Committee.
3) Evaluation of non-formulary medication requests from assigned providers.
4) Recognition and management of medication-related complications.
5) Conducts focused evaluations involving specific medication related issues as
requested by providers.
6) Participates in scheduled treatment team meetings.
7) Counsels patients and/or relative/caregiver on safe & effective utilization of
medications.
8) Provides customized medication related services to special patient populations
such as elderly psychiatric patients, patients with renal insufficiency, and patients
with other special needs.
9) Documents clinical interventions and cost avoidance.
10) Acts as a liaison between Pharmacy & Psychiatry Services.
11) Representation of Pharmacy on requested committees.
b. EDUCATIONAL
1) Participates in educational activities of Pharmacy & Psychiatry Services (e.g.,
Journal Club, in-services, etc).
2) Provides guidance and training to Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD.) students and
Pharmacy Residents.
c. ADMINISTRATIVE
1) Participates in Quality Assurance (Q/A) and medication use evaluation (MUE)
activities that are pertinent to Pharmacy & Psychiatry Services.
2) Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal relations with others which
reflects a cooperative attitude.
3) Assists in other pharmacy functions as assigned by Chief of Pharmacy.
d. RESEARCH – Supports medical center human research activities involving the use of
drugs in approved research/investigational studies.
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GLEN E. ALBRACHT, MS, PharmD
Date
Chief, Pharmacy
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Date