Pharmacist(Hematology/Oncology)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Specialist (Hem/One CPS) serves as a medication expert and team member on Hematology/Oncology patient care teams. Assist with clinical education activities, provide drug information, contribute to medication use evaluation (MUE) activities as needed, provide support to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and other hospital committees as needed. The duties and responsibilities of the Pharmacist (Hematology/Oncology) may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: Performs advanced clinical services in a large hospital setting with active teaching affiliations involving clinical pharmacy care practices, requiring advanced clinical pharmacy knowledge, monitoring, communication, and assessment skills. Designs a therapeutic supportive care regimen or plan, based on patient-specific information, which includes establishing a therapeutic endpoint, selecting an appropriate medication, and establishing an appropriate dosage regimen. Monitors and assesses therapeutic and adverse effects of drug therapy (including drug interactions) through selection and evaluation of physical and laboratory parameters. Makes recommendations to optimize drug therapy, prevent and manage adverse drug events, and reduce medication errors. Supports efforts of the Pharmacy Service and Medical Center in determining and reviewing drug use trends and risks of drug therapy. Interviews patients (via in-person, telephone or telemedicine) to determine medical history and reviews history for potential drug interactions, poly-pharmacy, therapeutic duplication, noncompliance, dosing error, adverse drug reactions to maximize safety and efficacy of drug use. Documents patients drug histories and counsels them on the appropriate use of medications and importance of compliance with drug therapy. Provides patients and caregivers information about their medication regimen. Serves as a drug information resource for advanced information and expertise to health care professionals in all drug therapy aspects of patient care. Adequately uses appropriate references to research drug information. Maintains a current knowledge of hematology/oncology therapeutics and management. Participates in the training of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, students and residents, and other medical personnel as required. Maintains his/her professional competency by keeping current with information on new drugs, drug therapies, innovations in hematology/oncology management and pharmacy practice, and integrating this information into his/her daily practice. Participates in the development and completion of guidelines, audit systems, MUE, and data gathering efforts of the Clinical Pharmacy in support of quality assurance monitoring to enhance the safety, efficacy, and cost efficiency of drug therapy. Serves on medical center and/or VISN committees as assigned and reports pertinent information at staff meetings, if appropriate Coordinates and manages video on demand, face to face and telephone hematology/oncology clinics. Effectively utilizes the VISTA/Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Works with other clinical staff in developing and establishing criteria and guidelines for patients receiving hematology/oncology therapy. Abides by VHA policy. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30am -4:00pm (rotating holidays, variable shift) Travel Required: Yes, 25% or Less, You may be expected to travel to other Miami VA Healthcare System facilities in this position. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V8EDRPMiami@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Functional Statement #: 30994F Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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.) OR (2) Graduates of foreign pharmacy degree programs meet the educational requirement if the graduate can 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). OR 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). Grandfathering Provision. All licensed pharmacists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Licensure-Submitted Documentation: 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. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the above basic requirements, candidates must also meet the following grade requirements: GS-13 Grade Requirements: Experience. In addition to the GS-12 requirements, must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12). Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (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. 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. Preferred Experience: PGY 1 Pharmacy Practice Residency PGY 2 in Oncology Pharmacy Residency Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Certification (BCOP) Selective Placement Factor: The Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Specialist (Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Specialist(CPS)) serves as a medication expert and team member on Hematology/Oncology patient care teams. The Hematology/Oncology CPS will perform advanced clinical services in a hospital setting with active teaching affiliations and will provide expertise and consultation to the VHA Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) regarding guideline development for use of hematology/oncology pharmaceuticals. The Hematology/Oncology CPS will also assist with clinical education activities, provide drug information, contribute to medication use evaluation (MUE) activities as needed, provide support to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and other hospital committees as needed. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/16, Part II, Appendix G-15. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and require a pre-placement examination. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript MUST be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.