Clinical Pharmacist (Oncology/Hematology)

Summary

The Clinic Support Pharmacist for Oncology/Hematology provides clinic and outpatient pharmaceutical care including but not limited to reviewing and monitoring therapeutic plans, outpatient prescription counseling, and dispensing services.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/25/2024 to 07/05/2024

• Salary

$132,642 - $182,895 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 00

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Saint Louis, MO 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

12

• Job family (Series)

0660 Pharmacist

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSS-12449245-24-MC

• Control number

797205300

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This job is open to

• Federal employees - Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current federal employment. All other applicants should apply to announcement: CBSS-12449246-24-MC.

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Duties

The VA St. Louis Healthcare System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Services

• Maintains proficiency and qualifications for preparing IV admixture for compounding chemotherapy and supportive medications.

• Works collaboratively with providers and the interdisciplinary team to provide appropriate pharmaceutical care to oncology patients (hospital and ambulatory care settings).

• Optimizes patient care outcomes by actively reviewing patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential drug interactions, appropriate monitoring (e.g. laboratory), and therapeutic outcomes per best evidence, up-to-date clinical guidelines or primary literature, and/or VHA and/or local published guidelines.

• Serves as a knowledgeable drug therapy expert in the principles of clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical treatment guidelines for oncology related therapies.

• Provides formulary management, reviews and evaluates prior authorization and restricted drug consults for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria.

• Documents clinical interventions and drug information responses accurately and timely in CPRS in professional manner (e.g., drug errors, adverse drug reactions, allergies, patient adherence, alternative therapy recommendations, ongoing therapy monitoring) according to VHA, local and/or Pharmacy Service procedures.

Medication Dispensing and Distribution

• Accurately fills and/or checks medication dispensing units, prescriptions, and aseptically prepared intravenous admixtures and other aseptically prepared pharmaceuticals.

• Fills or causes to be filled physician orders and requests (inpatient and outpatient) in a timely manner.

• Utilizes VistA and CPRS for order entry and completion.

• Passes required aseptic technique and chemotherapy preparation test, to certify knowledge of aseptic technique.

Administration

• Documents all patient medication teaching sessions and consults in the patient electronic record.

• Keeps necessary records and reports in an accurate, timely and complete manner.

• Provides quality control analysis for dispensing activities of automated dispensing equipment and pharmacy technicians.

Education and Training

• Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program of new pharmacy staff members, pharmacy students, interns, Pharm.D. candidates, medical students, interns, residents, fellow, PA students, nurse clinical specialist candidates, dietetic interns, and dental residents in the area of Hematology/Oncology, pharmacology and toxicity of antineoplastics, and proper handling and disposal of these agents.

• Participates in activities that promotes interdisciplinary training, in-servicing and/or collaborative research among medical staff, nursing staff, pharmacy staff, trainees, and/or other allied health professionals.

• Assists with coordinating, developing and documenting oncology pharmacy staff training.

• Provides drug information and literature searches on antineoplastic agents, clinical cancer care, and handling of antineoplastic agents to nursing, medical and pharmacy staff. This may include both informal, or formal presentations.

• Participates in staff development of peers and collaborates with other pharmacists in the provision of specialized training programs and assists in the development of innovative training concepts aimed at improving the knowledge and quality of pharmacy and other clinical staff.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, rotating shifts; 7-3:30, 7:30-4:00, or 8:30-5:00

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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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.

• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

• 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.

• Exception: Non-licensed pharmacists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment at the entry level as a Graduate Pharmacist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed 2 years for a pharmacist that provides care under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. For grade levels above the GS-11, the candidate must be licensed.

• Failure to Obtain License: In all cases, pharmacists must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unlicensed pharmacist with the written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to become licensed within 2 years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0660 Pharmacist series and may result in termination of employment.

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:

GS-11 Pharmacist

Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

(NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement above.) Assignment: Pharmacists at this grade level serve in a developmental capacity.

GS-12 Clinical Pharmacist

Experience or Education: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet one of the following:

• 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, OR
• Completion of an ACPE-accredited Pharm.D. program.

Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice.

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff.

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security.

• Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies, including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters.

Preferred Experience: Experience in providing Oncology pharmaceutical care.

References: VA Handbook 5005

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-44 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8 hours); Standing (8 hours); Kneeling (1 hours); Repeated bending (4 hours); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Specific visual requirement: DVA correctable to 20/40; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: Education is a basic requirement of this position, 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

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.

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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.