Pharmacist(Clinical Specialist) - Veterans Staffing : Job Details

The Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner (CPP) is responsible for oncology pharmacy care activities, including patients receiving chemotherapy and other oncological and hematological products. Privileges will be granted to practice as a provider under the supervision of the chiefs, Oncology Service, as directed by the chief, Pharmacy Service. The Oncology CPP will serve in many key roles in the care of oncology patients as a highly trained expert functioning with a scope of practice.

The primary role of the Oncology CPP is to serve as a core member of the oncology team, providing direct patient care serving their patients through the provision of oncology pharmacy services. Oncology CPP functions may include, but are not limited to: antineoplastic therapy management, including PO and parenteral therapy, oncology supportivecare therapy management, patient care appointments, reviewing patient records and documentation of care provided, contacting patients and/or caregivers to discuss concerns/needs and communicating and collaborating with other oncology providers as needed.

The CPP is responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining effective clinical pharmacy programs by implementing rational cost-effective drug therapy to improve patient outcomes in the outpatient and inpatient practice areas. Duties include but are not limited to: providing care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned areas (i.e. adult and geriatric populations). This entails a knowledge of human growth and development; ability to assess and interpret age specific data and provide age specific care; communication skills necessary to interpret age specific responses to treatment; and ability to involve family/significant others in decision making related to plan of care.

The knowledge, abilities, and skills needed to provide such care will be refined through continuing education and training and experience. Oncology CPP will deliver care through a team or consult based approach. A team approach is designed to model an onsite clinical care team of oncologists, care coordinating RNs, advance practice providers and clinical pharmacists working in a virtual setting. The modalities of care delivery and patient encounters include: CVT, VVC, Telephone or E-Consult. The Oncology CPP provides expert guidance to the oncology team in regard to treatment selection, comprehensive treatment plan review, supportive care, and assistance with monitoring for safety and efficacy of the prescribed treatment.

This may include toxicity checks, oral anticancer therapy management, medication reconciliation, management of benign hematology treatment, E-Consults, and enrollment and evaluation for REMS programs. The Oncology CPP collaborates closely with the spoke site pharmacy teams to ensure safe and timely delivery of anticancer therapy. The Oncology CPP can be consulted directly to manage oral anticancer therapies, anticancer therapy toxicity management, supportive care management, drug information/treatment plan review E-Consults, second opinions, etc.

Using clinical screening tools to evaluate and assess patients (the most recent version of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Effects (CTCAE). Population management and high risk patient identification. Team huddles and meetings. Clinical leadership activities, including committee and workgroup involvement. Performs all pharmacy distributive functions according to the VHA and local policies to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services in a timely fashion to meet the needs of our patients and medical center staff. Exhibits a high degree of accuracy in receiving and processing of inpatient medication orders and discharge prescriptions and in all areas of drug accountability. Ability to counsel patients and provide all required patient information regarding medication dispensed to the patient (e.g., PMI's, FDA MedGuides).

Exhibits a high degree of accuracy in all areas of drug accountability (e.g., controlled substances, high risk/high alert drugs). Exhibits ability to be highly productive in a professional environment. Responsible for training clinical pharmacy practitioners and technicians joining the National TeleOncology Program in operations. Participates in the development of administrative and clinical pharmacy research protocols, activities, or projects which may ultimately serve to upgrade the quality of patient care by the VA Healthcare System. Serves as a preceptor of residents' research projects as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available

Requirements Conditions of Employment:

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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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.

Qualifications Basic Requirements:

United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education. (1) Graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Verification of approved degree programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Licensure. Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure.

GS-13 Grade Determinations:

(a) Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, you must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12).

(b) Assignments. Candidates at this grade level are to be in one of the assignments listed below. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

The clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) functions at the highest level of clinical practice, works independently under their scope of practice as defined by the individual medical center to directly care for patients. A CPS plays a defined role in budgetary execution and serves as a mid-level provider who functions to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services.

Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs:

a. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.

b. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.

c. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.

d. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.

e. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Preferred Experience: Possess an advanced set of knowledge and skills in managing and educating VA patients receiving oncology and pain therapies. Completion of an oncology pharmacy practice residency or oncology board certification (BCOP) 3 years of VA oncology practice experience with a scope of practice.