This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) serves as a provider with prescribing privileges as outlined in the individual's Scope of Practice. The incumbent is responsible for the medication therapy management of both acute and ambulatory care cancer patients; those receiving injectable therapy in the outpatient infusion clinic for a non-malignant indication. The Oncology CPS will perform their duties in Medical Oncology, Hematology and Ambulatory Infusion Clinic or may work virtually using telehealth technologies when the team requirements do not necessitate a full time Oncology CPS be physically present. They will be counseling new patients on their oral or injectable oncolytic drug regimens and regularly assessing patients for toxicities prior to subsequent cycles of chemotherapy. Clinical Specialty Practice-Patient Care Skills: Monitors patients admitted to the Medical Oncology, Infusion Center, and Hematology Services on a routine basis, evaluating all drug usage to maximize efficiency of drug therapy and minimize toxicity in the most cost-effective manner. Incumbent maintains complete patient monitoring records on all patients. Incumbent provides pharmacokinetics consultation for all drugs, which require monitoring of serum concentrations to assess efficacy and toxicity risk. Incumbent evaluates laboratory parameters, physical assessment, and other diagnostic tests of patients receiving chemotherapy and makes therapeutic recommendations to the multidisciplinary team. Incumbent provides assistance in the dosing, administration and monitoring of chemotherapy and related medications. Incumbent monitors patients receiving chemotherapy, biologics, and other related medication therapy for therapeutic effects, correct dose and schedule, adverse effects, and drug-drug interactions. Coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes for tele-health program including management of health emergencies at remote site. As required, the CPS will provide tele-health assessments and treatment provided by tele-work. Supervises and assists as needed in the preparation of chemotherapy and ensures the safe handling of cytotoxic agents and prepares chemotherapy when required. Research Skills: Independently or collaboratively designs and conducts clinical research trials related to oncology practice and acts as a subject matter expert regarding any pharmacy related aspects of trial conduct. Incumbent pursues publication of results of clinical research, review articles, and case reports in professional oncology, medical and pharmacy journals. Incumbent pursues presentation of clinical research and case reports at scientific meetings. Education and Training Functions: Incumbent assists in the training of new pharmacy staff. Incumbent provides specialized education and training (in services) to nursing, pharmacy and physicians, concerning chemotherapy and the ancillary care of the cancer patient. Incumbent contributes to the design, supervision and implementation of the clinical education and training of the post-doctoral Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Residency program and serves as preceptor for ASHP-accredited residency. Incumbent functions as preceptor for pharmacy residents on Medical Oncology or Hematology rotations. Incumbent provides lectures when appropriate to the nursing, pharmacy and medicine academic programs. Incumbent serves as a preceptor to pharmacy students of Affiliated Schools of Pharmacy. Incumbent contributes to the marketing and advancement of the pharmacy team through active involvement in facility-based programs designed to support veteran care and healthcare education/communication (e.g., diabetes education, health fairs, local, state, regional and/or national poster/platform presentations, and active participation in pharmacy professional organizations). Administrative Functions: Coordinates with the oncology pharmacy satellite and in relation to the provision of chemotherapy within the hospital or related clinics. Participates on Paperless Oncology Ordering System/Order Set/Template Subcommittee by reviewing order sets to ensure information is accurate and up to date. Incumbent prepares systematic reviews (DUE, QA) and evaluations related to drugs used in the cancer patient. Serves as a liaison between oncology pharmacy and nursing, pharmacy services, oncology, hematology, and other supportive services related to the care of the cancer patient. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: 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, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: (312) 664-3575, or through their website at: http://www.acpe-accredit.org/. (NOTE: Prior to 2005 ACPE accredited both baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy terminal degree program. Today the sole degree is Doctor of Pharmacy.) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate is able to provide proof of achieving the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC) Certification, which includes passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT). 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grandfathering Provision. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-13 Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. 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. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic and most economical medication treatments; helping achieve positive patient centric outcomes through direct and indirect interactions with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary teams in assigned areas; performing physical assessments; and ordering laboratory and other tests to help determine efficacy and toxicity of medication therapy. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: Education/training: PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Education/training: PGY2 Pharmacy Residency in Oncology Pharmacy or PGY1 +3 years >50% clinical experience in Oncology Certification: BCOP Experience: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Oncology) - direct patient care with scope of practice References: VA Handbook 5005/55 Part II Appendix G15 Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Standard GS-660 dated June 7, 2012. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), kneeling (1 hour), repeated bending (4 hours), Both legs required, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, DVA Correctable to 20/40, Both eyes required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to provide transcripts may result in non-referral of your application if education cannot be verified.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by ACPE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the ACPE website http://www.acpe-accredit.org/, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]