Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Oncology

About the role

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.

What you will do

• 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

Requirements

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

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. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2.

All other VA employees, including current and former VHA Health Professional Trainees (HPT's). 3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

4.

All other Applicants All other applicant will be referred in Veterans' Preference Order 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.

Documents you must provide

• License Transcript The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document - KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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. 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 applicant's 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.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.