Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary The Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) functions at the highest level of clinical practice as a mid-level practitioner - working independently under their scope of practice. CPP works collaboratively as a member on an interdisciplinary team in active pharmacotherapy management for medication optimization in a vulnerable patient population and assists in the educational mission of the Pharmacy Service. 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 Citizenship: Citizen of the United States Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part. 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: View phone number on click.appcast.io - or through their Web site at: 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 A pharmacist who has - or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct - professional incompetence or substandard care - or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the State for professional misconduct - professional incompetence - or substandard care - are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C. Section 7402(f)) Effective November 30 - 1999 - this is a requirement for employment This requirement does not apply to licensed pharmacists on VA rolls as of that date - provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license - registration or certification 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 - which are 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 - OR Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program AND these demonstrated KSAs: Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff Knowledge of laws - regulations - and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies - including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters You must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 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: Board Certification in Oncology Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties VA Careers - Pharmacy: Assess and develop selection of evidence-based and therapeutically appropriate anticancer therapies based on Veteran diagnosis - performance status - organ function - disease staging and pertinent pharmacogenomic status Develop and implement evidence based anticancer order set to standardize therapy approaches to ensure safety - efficacy - and completeness of anticancer treatment protocols Assess - select - and initiate primary and secondary supportive care elements for inclusion in anticancer order sets based on anticancer protocol risk Primary supportive care therapies for anticancer treatment include but are not limited to addition of growth factor support based on regimen risk of febrile neutropenia - infection prophylaxis - prevention and treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea/vomiting - diarrhea/constipation - anticipated skin toxicities - therapy induced electrolyte imbalances - risk of hypersensitivity reactions - drug interactions - thrombosis prevention - etc Assess - monitor - and manage anticancer therapy adverse drug reactions or toxicities including but not limited to hypersensitivity reactions - refractory nausea/vomiting - therapy induced cytopenia's (including neutropenia and anemia) - infection - QT prolongation - immune-mediated toxicities - organ dysfunction - diarrhea/constipation - dermatologic reactions - fatigue - nutritional deficiencies - and drug interactions Initiate - monitor - modify and discontinue medications as part of management of clinical effectiveness and toxicity Review primary literature resources and appropriate guidelines (e.g. - NCCN - ASCO) when evaluating - recommending - or implementing anticancer therapy and supportive care Education: Maintains professional competency on drug therapies and innovations in pharmacy practice pertinent to the care provided in this health care system Provides medication counseling to patients and/or caregivers Evaluates the abilities of adult and geriatric patients to understand medication instructions (i.e. - ability to learn - sensory limitations - past knowledge of condition - and obstacles to following treatment regimen) and provides oral and written counseling on their drug therapy Assists in the development - coordination and provision of drug therapy in-service programs - staff development programs - patient education programs - and other system- wide drug information programs Administrative Support/Program Management: Performs proper recordkeeping and maintains proper documentation when required or appropriate for all clinical activity and patient interventions Ensures sensitive data for patient files - both printed and electronic - remain confidential Ensures ADP systems for pharmacy practice and patient care are utilized for official duties and remain secure Provides professional guidance and leadership to their assigned work team(s) to deliver patient care services in accordance with established standards of practice (i.e. - DEA - VHA - JCAHO - health care system - departmental policy & procedures - applicable state laws - etc.) and in support of established VHA and VISN 15 performance measures Actively participates in various quality management and performance improvement activities such as drug utilization evaluations - drug class reviews - adverse drug reaction monitoring - new drug request reviews - prior approval/non-formulary drug reviews - ongoing drug monitors - and a variety of other activities associated with the provision of pharmaceutical care Helps manage multiple complex medication management along with veterans' chemotherapy regimens (i.e. - chronic anticoagulation - diabetes management - lipid management - hypertension management - pain management - formulary management - utilization review - etc.) that are applicable Research: May participate in research studies under FDA guidelines that have undergone review and approval by the Research & Development Committee and the Investigational Review Board SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner reports to the Associate Chief - Clinical Pharmacy Services or Chief of Pharmacy Delegated medical care functions are reviewed and supervised by the collaborating physician The Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner has independent clinical and administrative responsibility for their practice - with general supervisory direction from the Associate Chief - Clinical Pharmacy Services and Chief of Pharmacy Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Work schedule subject to change based on the needs of the facility Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 000000 #J-18808-Ljbffr