The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Oncology Health) functions at the highest level of clinical practice and serves as a provider with prescribing privileges, functions as a consultant for Oncology and serves as a mid-level provider to initiate, modify or discontinue medication therapy and as a consultant for intensive medication therapy management services. FUNCTIONS: Clinical - Direct Patient Care Activities that require a scope of practice Functions as a mid-level provider to design, implement, and monitor therapeutic drug plans to achieve definite outcomes through direct interactions with patients and providers in assigned areas. Orders, performs, reviews, and analyzes appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies necessary to monitor and support the patient's drug therapy. Follows-up with patients on lab or test results to discuss the plan of therapy including changes in medication therapy, monitoring, additional testing requirements, referral to primary care or specialty provider. Interviews and/or evaluates patients upon admission and daily during hospital stay for appropriateness of pharmacological therapy and makes a pharmaceutical care plan for each patient that will be documented in the pharmacy initial assessment or progress note. Clinical - Indirect Patient Care Activities: Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Performs medication reconciliation during clinic visits and transfers of levels of care, and informs healthcare providers of any discrepancies noted. Monitor and report drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and patient compliance issues. Documents findings per facility procedures. Actively participates in the VAADERS Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting system. Supports effective drug usage criteria approved by the national VHA Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM), VISN PBM and local Pharmacy & Therapeutic (P&T) which help to ensure quality patient care in a cost-effective manner. Ensures appropriate utilization of the VHA formulary by health care providers. EDUCATION AND RESEARCH: Assists in new employee orientation sessions as scheduled. Assists in the development of proposals for improved and/or new clinical pharmacy services. May support medical center human research activities involving the use of drugs in approved research/investigational studies. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: Participates in P&T functions and assignments as required, e.g., ADR monitoring, medication error reporting, Medication Utilization Evaluation activities, drug monographs/reviews, etc. Presenting information to committee as assigned. Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships by committee membership, active problem resolution skills, and close cooperation with other services in accomplishing the medical center mission and goals. Establishes criteria of use for high cost medications for patients in the Oncology/Medicine services and implements these guidelines for other Providers in the medical center. DRUG INFORMATION: Serves as an authority on drug usage, interactions, over-dosages, and compliance to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians and students. Uses appropriate references to research drug information. Effectively instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications and medical devices. Is able to adjust communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management. Performs other duties as assigned.