Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

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.

English Language Proficiency : Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.

S.C. 7403(f) Education : (1) 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.

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 : Clinical Pharmacy Specialist-Oncology (Ambulatory Care & Acute Care) GS-13 Experience : In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following : 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS12) Functions of the position include but are not limited to : 1.

CLINICAL PATIENT CARE SKILLS Provides care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned areas (i.

e., adult and geriatric populations). This entails a knowledge of human growth and development; ability to assess and interpret age specific data and provide age specific care;

communication skills necessary to interpret age specific responses to treatment; and ability to involve family / significant others in decision making related to plan of care.

The knowledge, abilities, and skills needed to provide such care will be refined through continuing education and training and experience.

Serves as an authoritative information source on drugs and their utilization in therapy. Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Oncology (Amb Care & Acute Care).

Evaluates the drug literature by analysis of experimental design and evaluation, in order to compare and contrast therapeutic regimens and roles for new drugs as it applies to patient care.

Evaluates prescribed drug therapy and communicates daily to physicians / pharmacists for appropriateness, effectiveness, cost-benefit, adverse drug reactions, allergies, and disease states.

Appropriately renders care to patients in Oncology Clinic and other pharmacy clinics where oncology products are prepared.

Documents all pertinent clinical information in the patient's electronic record and assures there is appropriate follow-up for each patient.

Assures that all cumulative doses of patients receiving bleomycin or anthracyclines are tracked to assure patient safety.

Any other drugs that may require similar monitoring will be tracked as well. 2. MEDICATION DISPENSING AND DISTRIBUTION Performs all pharmacy distributive functions according to the VHA and local policies to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services in a timely fashion to meet the needs of our patients and medical center staff.

Exhibits a high degree of accuracy in all areas of drug accountability (e.g., controlled substances, hazardous drugs, high risk / high alert drugs).

Exhibits ability to be highly productive in a professional environment. Prepares sterile IV products, including but not limited to chemotherapeutic agents.

Knowledge of all USP Chapter 797 requirements for the preparation of sterile IV products. Knowledge of VCM® or other software technology used for the management of chemotherapeutic agent dosing.

Demonstrates knowledge of USP Chapter 800 requirements for handling hazardous drugs. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Participates in the development and enforcement of Pharmacy and Health System policies and procedures.

Assists in the dissemination and enforcement of guidelines established by the Medication Management Committee regarding the use of formulary, non-formulary, and restricted drugs.

4. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Creates an environment to stimulate, encourage and support the participation of pharmacy personnel in providing drug information to the hospital staff and other facilities as deemed appropriate.

Acts as a source of drug information for health professionals in the inpatient medical / surgical areas through direct response to specific inquiries concerning medications and therapy.

5. RESEARCH AND QUALITY Participates in the development of administrative and clinical pharmacy research protocols, activities, or projects which may ultimately serve to upgrade the quality of patient care by the VA Healthcare System.

Serves as a preceptor of residents' research projects as assigned. 6. SAFETY The pharmacist will work safely in performing all assigned tasks, being mindful to follow applicable safety rules and regulations and reporting all unsafe acts, conditions and personal injuries to the supervisor immediately.

The pharmacist will attend safety training and continuing education as required. In addition, he / she will demonstrate knowledge of roles and responsibilities regarding Medical Center and Service safety management plans.

7. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION In all contact with patients, relatives, staff members and other individuals dealing with the Medical Center, the pharmacist demonstrates a concerned, compassionate and helpful attitude to enhance a positive image of the Medical Center and the VA system.

Preferred Experience : Preference given to individuals with hazardous drug compounding experience and / or other Oncology experience, including clinical oncology experience.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https : / / www.va.gov / ohrm / QualificationStandards / .

• Physical Requirements : Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (1 hour); pushing (1 hour) reaching above shoulder;
• use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours); standing (2 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); both legs required;
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4;

far vision correctable in one eye to 20 / 20 and to 20 / 40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).