Clarification from the agency

If you are NOT applying as a current permanent VA employee, you should apply under THIS vacancy announcement. Current permanent VA employees should apply under announcement CBDU-10754659-20-JWF.

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The incumbent will effectively and efficiently function as a team member on Hematology/ Oncology patient teams within the North Texas Health Care System where oncological products are utilized (i.e. Infusion Care center). He/she will assist in developing staff and patient programs, which promote optimal drug therapy and assure compliance with JHACO standards related to medications. This may include review of patients on multiple medications (poly-pharmacy), pharmacokinetic dosage methods, drug therapy monitoring review (drug-drug and drug-food interactions), and other means to maximize safety and efficacy of drug use by impacting on the therapeutic decision-making processes (allergies, incompatibilities, contraindications, potential adverse effects and formulary availability, utilization review activities). It may also include means of effecting reasonable patient understanding and compliance with drug therapy instructions and important untoward effect monitoring.
The incumbent develops and maintains pharmaceutical care plans for patients to assure positive drug-related results. Functions include but are not limited to: interpretation of provider orders, counseling patients on proper medication administration and storage, drug regimen reviews, monitoring therapeutic drug levels and education of providers and staff. The incumbent interfaces with oncologists and other clinicians when designing of a veteran's treatment regimen. The incumbent reviews clinical findings (including history, physical findings, laboratory, and diagnostic data) and information related to medication use to form a data base. The incumbent identifies drug use problems, which are reported to the physician responsible for the patient's care. The incumbent designs a therapeutic regimen or plan, including establishing a therapeutic endpoint, recommending an appropriate drug and dosage regimen, and monitoring the outcome of treatment (i.e. antiemetic guidelines). The incumbent provides written and verbal consultative services to all areas of the hospital regarding drug information questions, pharmacotherapeutics, and pharmacokinetics as requested. The incumbent assumes limited patient management functions under appropriate supervision and carefully developed protocols. Inpatient/outpatient chemotherapy orders are checked to include patient information, correct medication, dose, route, and frequency of administration. Controlled substances are dispensed with accuracy according to current policy and procedures for inpatients and outpatients.
The incumbent is directly involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of therapeutic drug plans - including but not limited to - drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, to achieve definite therapeutic outcomes through direct face-to-face and indirect (telephone, e-consult, etc.) interactions with patients, providers, and other interdisciplinary team members in assigned areas. Provides active coordination of care through direct interaction and communication with the providers, the expanded health care team, and patients. Will perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: M-F 7:30AM-4:00PM, Hours may be adjusted and/or extended to meet patient care needs.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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: 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 Web site 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.)
  (2) 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.

Preferred Experience: PGY2 in hem/onc or 3 years of relevant experience in hem/onc setting with board certification

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.

Assignment. 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:

1. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to persuade and influence clinical and management decisions.
2. Expert understanding of regulatory and quality standards for their program area.
3. Ability to solve problems, coordinate and organize responsibilities to maximize outcomes in their program area or area of clinical expertise.
4. Expert knowledge of a specialized area of clinical pharmacy practice or specialty area of pharmacy.
5. Advanced skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.
   

If you need assistance in completing the above KSAs - Click on the link below: (https://www.vacareers.va.gov/application-process/navigating/ksas.asp)


References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/55 June 7, 2012 PART II APPENDIX G15

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS13.

Physical Requirements: Use of fingers and both hands required. Walk {up to 1 hour); Light carrying {up to 10 lbs.). Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing {aid permitted)

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.