FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
CLINICAL PHARMACY SPECIALIST – MENTAL HEALTH, INPATIENT
GS-660-12
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Mental Health (CPS) serves as a consultant to physicians
and other health care providers in acute psychiatry, MHC, and on long-term care wards as
needed. S/he will provide direct and indirect patient care activities, assessing the efficacy,
safety and appropriateness of medication therapy. The CPS will conduct all aspects of
medication order verification and medication reconciliation and facilitate patient discharge by
coordinating discharge prescription needs and follow-up clinic appointments. The CPS will
make recommendations to various providers and provide follow-up on those
recommendations and will suggest appropriate adjustments in dosing to optimize drug
therapy in order to avoid untoward reactions and improve patient care. S/he works with
other clinical pharmacists to provide comprehensive clinical, educational and other
informational services. S/he is also responsible for the management of pharmacy residents
and students.
The goals of the CPS include: improvement in health care by providing optimal drug
therapy, conducting medication reconciliation, documenting positive patient outcomes,
coordinating discharge medication needs, providing cost effective results of clinical
interventions and establishing and maintaining a high standard for clinical pharmacy practice
at VACT.
2. QUALIFICATIONS
a. Requirements for appointment, promotion, and advancement for achievement or
performance of a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Pharmacy Service in VHS&RA under
authority of 38 U.S.C. 4103(3) are outlined in Attachment C, Licensed Pharmacist
Qualification Standard (Appendix 2R, Chapter 2, VHS&RA supplement, MP-5, Part II
Circular 00-89-38 dated December 4, 1989). If not board certified in Psychiatry at time of
appointment, must become board certified in Psychiatry within 2 years of appointment to
position.
b. Must possess interpersonal skills to effectively function with health care professionals
and patients assigned to the patient care area. Strong verbal and written communication
skills are essential.
c. Must possess an advanced set of knowledge and skills in managing and educating
patients receiving mental health therapies.
3. FUNCTIONS
a. Clinical:
(1) Plans and provides patient related clinical pharmacy services as it pertains to Mental
Health, including educational services in assigned areas. Takes appropriate actions
to promote optimum, cost effective drug therapy.
(2) Participates in comprehensive pharmacy services on assigned patient wards and
Mental Health Careline (MHC) and verifies al inpatient medication orders for all
patients receiving inpatient mental health services.
(3) Participates in Mental Health daily interdisciplinary team meetings, and conducts
admission/transfer/discharge medication reconciliation and discharge counseling.
(4) Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal relations with others which reflect a
cooperative attitude.
(5) Provides patient care which is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional and
chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Demonstrates
the knowledge and skils necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the
patients served in his or her assigned service area. Demonstrates knowledge of the
changes associated with aging and possesses the ability to provide care based upon
age related factors.
(6) Practices as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with prescriptive privileges under a
Functional Statement approved by the Professional Standards Board. The
Functional Statement includes but not limited to:
i.
Clinical Functions
ii. Scope of Practice
(5) Reviews all non-formulary drug requests initiated by Mental Health and other areas
as assigned.
b. Program/Formulary Management:
The CPS is responsible for the implementation and overall management of pharmacy
based clinical services in the mental health area. S/he works closely with the Clinical
Coordinator, other clinical pharmacists, staff pharmacists, psychiatry staff and other
healthcare providers as needed to provide high quality clinical services to mental health
patients. The CPS is responsible for managing any national, VISN or local drug cost
initiatives pertaining to the mental health area. Ensures all formulary management issues
are enforced in inpatient Mental Health.
c. Educational/Training:
(1)
As a clinical specialist, supervises and trains pharmacy residents and students as
assigned.
(2)
Provides educational services and training to all health care providers including
physicians, residents, physician assistants, nurses and pharmacy staff.
(3)
Participates in the planning and training of staff pharmacists to function in areas of
direct patient care and clinical services.
(4)
Participates in maintenance and development of residency programs so as to
achieve optimum therapeutic outcomes.
(5)
Keeps full abreast of new developments in the field of drug therapy by completing
required continuing education programs, reading current publications and references
and applies them to psychiatric medicine.
d. Quality Assurance:
With the Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator, designs, develops an participates in programs to
evaluate and further the quality of clinical pharmacy services, drug use and prescribing
practices to provide high quality, cost effective therapy.
e. Research:
f.
(1)
S/he designs or participates in clinical research studies involving drug therapy or
clinical pharmacy functions.
(2)
Assists and/or participates in relevant drug related research studies of the Medical
Center.
(3)
Assures compliance with FDA and DVA regulations pertaining to the safe use of
investigational drugs and studies as needed.
(4)
Directs and/or participates in the preparation of articles for publication by pharmacy
residents and members of the Mental Health team.
Administration:
(1)
Participates in Pharmacy Service meetings (monthly Residency Advisory Board and
Pharmacy Clinical/Management meetings, staff meetings, etc).
(2)
Serves as a representative of Pharmacy on assigned committees and
subcommittees.
(3)
Participates in Quality Assurance (QA) activities including Medication Use Evaluation
activities.
(4)
Promotes cost effectiveness of the formulary.
(5)
Monitors, evaluates and maintains appropriate data and prepares reports and
correspondence in a complete, accurate and timely manner. Emphasis is placed on
documenting and reporting positive patient outcomes and the cost effectiveness of
clinical interventions.
g. Safety/Security:
(1)
Observes all established safety practices and complies with Medical Center and VA
policies on safety, employee health, worker’s compensation and on the job injuries.
h. EEO:
(1)
Observes and enforces all Medical Center and VA policies and guidelines with
regards to equal opportunity employment and sexual harrassment.
(2)
i.
S/he must ensure compliance with all EEO directives including training requirements
for both self and those supervised. S/he will ensure that working conditions within
their areas meet or exceed EEO standards. S/he will take immediate demonstrable
corrective action for any and all violations. S/he will immediately notify their
immediate supervisor of all violations, corrective actions or possible violations in
writing.
ADP Responsibility:
(1)
S/he safeguards privacy and sensitive policy-making data against unauthorized
disclosure. Safeguards user access codes from unauthorized disclosure and use.
Notifies ADP security officer or designated alternate upon disclosure or suspected
disclosure of sensitive data by others.
(2)
Protects printed and electronic file data from unauthorized release or from loss,
alteration or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable computer rules, regulations,
release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement.