Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Oncology

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) in Oncology serves as an advanced practice provider responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining comprehensive clinical pharmacy services geared toward safe, effective, and cost-efficient patient care. The CPS practices under an approved Scope of Practice with prescriptive authority, functioning independently to initiate, modify, or discontinue medication therapy.

• Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Clinical Practice (Primary Function) The CPS functions at the highest level of clinical practice, providing advanced clinical services and medication management in accordance with VHA policy. Provides comprehensive medication management (CMM) for oncology patients across identified care settings. Designs, implements, assesses, monitors, and documents therapeutic plans using evidence-based practices. Performs objective and subjective patient assessments to ensure therapeutic appropriateness and effectiveness. Orders, reviews, and interprets laboratory and diagnostic tests required to support and adjust drug therapy. Initiates, continues, modifies, and discontinues medications, vaccines, devices, and supplies within the approved Scope of Practice. Prescribes controlled substances when appropriately licensed and authorized. Obtains and documents informed consent for pharmacist-provided treatments or procedures that require consent. Conducts patient encounters via face-to-face visits, telephone, VA Video Connect (VVC), and Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT). Provides drug information and expert consultation to providers, nursing, and interdisciplinary teams. Monitors for response to therapy, adverse effects, allergies, medication adherence, and laboratory trends. Adjusts therapy based on clinical data and communicates recommendations to the care team. Ensures continuity of care through appropriate hand-offs, referrals, and follow-up arrangements. A formal Scope of Practice must be approved and maintained for this role and includes authority for prescriptive practice, ordering diagnostics, conducting CMM, and documenting care independently. Medication Safety and Quality Performance Promotes compliance with established VA, VISN, and local drug therapy policies. Identifies and reports actual or potential medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and safety events. Participates in quality improvement initiatives, medication use evaluations, and formulary management activities. Documents interventions, outcomes, and consult responses in a timely and professional manner per regulatory standards. Education, Teaching, and Research Support Provides education to patients, caregivers, and clinical staff regarding medication therapy. Precepts pharmacy students and residents as assigned. Participates in academic detailing, staff development, and competencies. Participates in the development and implementation of formal and informal drug education/clinical consultation to medical, surgical, nursing, and pharmacy staff in the form of in-services and continuing education programs. Interfaces with other health-care providers and administrators to ensure compliance with established pharmacy policies and procedures. Effectively communicates both orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues. Administrative Responsibilities Assists with the management of acquisition and utilization of new therapeutics in the area of oncology. Supports cost-effective pharmacy services by recommending evidence-based and economically responsible therapy alternatives. Manages workload effectively, prioritizes tasks, and meets established goals and deadlines. Participates in team meetings, population management activities, and care coordination huddles Serves and participates as a member of facility or National committees as assigned Pharmacist duties Interacts with treatment team members to optimize drug treatment; develops and assesses target outcomes. Communicates effectively in meetings, in personal conversations, and in written progress notes or consultations. Participates as necessary in a range of staff pharmacy duties, including order verification and completion, medication preparation and dispensing in inpatient and outpatient settings. Provides admission interview and assessment, discharge counseling and patient medication teaching when requested or appropriate. Responds to formal and informal consults from physicians, physician assistants, and nurse clinicians for the purpose of devising rational drug therapy regimens. Monitors patient response to therapy for efficacy, adverse effects, interactions, etc., and recommends changes in therapy and laboratory studies based on patient assessment. Correctly interprets, reviews, and dispenses first doses, and supervises a technician and central pharmacist in other dispensing of all inpatient medications, including ward stock, automatic stock replenishment, unit dose and intravenous admixtures. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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