Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Hematology/Oncology) - EDRP Authorized

Veterans Health Administration • Amarillo, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) in Hematology/Oncology functions as an advanced practice provider and clinical pharmacist practitioner, independently managing medication therapy within the applicable scope of practice. The specialist initiates, modifies, or discontinues medication therapy and provides comprehensive medication management consultation. The role includes designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring, and documenting therapeutic plans that support effective, safe, and economical treatment; assessing patients; and ordering laboratory and other tests to evaluate medication efficacy and toxicity.

The specialist provides disease-state management, drug-distribution services, and pharmaceutical education to patients and healthcare staff. The position includes drug regimen review, patient interviews and counseling, clinical interventions with healthcare providers, order interpretation, and participation in pharmacy staff and resident education. The CPS precepts Texas Tech School of Pharmacy P3/P4 students and VA/Texas Tech PGY-1 or PGY-2 pharmacy residents.

The CPS participates in pharmacy-managed clinics, including Hematology/Oncology and Anticoagulation clinics, providing comprehensive medication management for hematology, oncology, and long-term oral or injectable anticoagulation. Other assignments may include telemedicine pharmacy clinics, Geriatric and Evaluation Clinic, Home-Based Primary Care, Medication Use Evaluation, Medication Refill Clinic, adverse drug reaction reporting, drug information, prior authorization drug requests, Community Living Center, inpatient services, and Pharmacy PACT Clinic. The position also covers refill duties and may cross-cover other pharmacy-managed clinics when staffing shortages occur. Performance measures for assigned clinics must meet or exceed established goals.

This is a full-time, onsite federal position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and application review. The position's full performance level is GS-13.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated limited exception for non-citizens when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Graduate degree in pharmacy from an ACPE-accredited college or school: a BS Pharmacy and/or Pharm.D.
• For foreign pharmacy graduates, FPGEC certification, including the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination and TOEFL iBT, to meet the educational requirement.
• Full, current, unrestricted pharmacist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current registration if required for licensure.
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) for the GS-13 Clinical Pharmacy Specialist grade.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing to influence clinical and management decisions.
• Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for the program area.
• Ability to solve problems, coordinate, and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in the program or clinical specialty area.
• Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or pharmacy specialty.
• Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing drug therapy outcomes, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
• Meet the position's physical requirements, including lifting, carrying, reaching, walking, standing, vision, hearing, emotional/mental stability, prolonged sitting, and typing/computer use.
• Complete required pre-employment screening, including drug testing when applicable, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete required application and onboarding requirements and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of a pharmacy residency.
• Board certification.
• Two years of experience working in a VA hospital.
• Two years of experience with chemotherapy infusions.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, assess, monitor, and document medication therapy plans.
• Initiate, modify, or discontinue medication therapy and provide comprehensive medication management consultation.
• Perform patient assessments and order laboratory and other tests to evaluate medication therapy efficacy and toxicity.
• Provide disease-state management, drug distribution, and pharmaceutical education to patients and healthcare staff.
• Review drug regimens, interview and counsel patients, interpret medication orders, and make clinical interventions with healthcare providers.
• Participate in pharmacy staff and pharmacy resident education and precept pharmacy students and residents.
• Conduct assigned pharmacy-managed clinics, including Hematology/Oncology and Anticoagulation clinics.
• Manage medications for hematology, oncology, and long-term anticoagulation patients, including oral and injectable anticoagulants.
• Perform medication refill duties for Hematology/Oncology and Anticoagulation patients and other Veterans as needed.
• Provide cross-coverage for other pharmacy-managed clinics when staffing shortages occur.
• Undertake additional assigned clinical services, which may include telemedicine clinics, HBPC, CLC, inpatient services, Pharmacy PACT Clinic, medication-use evaluations, drug information, adverse drug reaction reporting, and prior authorization drug requests.
• Maintain clinical competence through self-study and continuing education.
• Meet or exceed assigned performance measures for pharmacy-managed clinics.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility, approval, and program terms.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree