Pharmacist (Clinical Specialist - Oncology)

Summary The clinical pharmacy specialist is assigned to Oncology at Tucson Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Position provides pharmaceutical care to oncology patients seen in the hospital and in ambulatory areas. The incumbent provides pharmaceutical care to patients and optimizes patient care outcomes and 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 oncology patients. Responsibilities Clinical. Initiating, modifying, or discontinuing medication therapy, ordering labs and other tests to help determine efficacy or toxicity of medications, designing, implementing, assessing, monitoring, and documenting therapeutic plans utilizing best evidence or Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and/or Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) published guidelines. Reviews patient medication regimens for clinical effectiveness, medication selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects, potential interactions, and therapeutic outcomes as required. Communicates findings with prescribers and provides appropriate alternatives to current treatment plans as needed. Reviews and implements pharmacotherapy and treatment guidelines during direct patient care or via recommendations to other providers. Documents clinical interventions and therapeutic plans accurately in the electronic medical record in a timely and professional manner as appropriate. Collaborates with clinic staff to provide pharmaceutical care to oncology patients as outlined by best evidence, VHA and SAVAHCS Clinical practice guidelines. Clinical activities include histories, evaluations, outlining and executing, and monitoring pharmacotherapeutic treatment plans utilizing the most effective, least toxic, and most economical medication treatments. Reviews and evaluates requests for prior authorization and restricted medications for appropriateness and compliance with established criteria where applicable. Serves as an authority on medication usage, interactions, over-dosages, and adherence to medical staff, nursing staff, technicians, and students. Uses appropriate references for research. Provides timely and accurate responses to drug information inquiries from all customers. Monitors for and reports medication errors, adverse reactions, allergies, and patient adherence issues. Documents findings according to SAVAHCS procedures. Reviews literature routinely to provide an evaluation of efficacy, safety, and cost- effectiveness for routine patient care and projects as assigned. Maintains a current knowledge of therapeutics and disease management. Assists with medication use evaluations and other Pharmacy and Therapeutics activities as assigned. Promotes and monitors compliance for established medication therapy policies. Works with providers to ensure compliance with national, VISN, and local initiatives. Completes clinical reminders in an accurate and timely manner in electronic medical record as appropriate Documents interventions using workload capture tools as instructed (e.g., Pharmacists Achieve Results with Medication Documentation, or PhARMD tool). Education. Serves as an effective preceptor, directing and supervising pharmacy residents and students as assigned. Assists in the development, enhancement, and operation of resident and student training programs. Participates in activities of interdisciplinary training and in-servicing of medical staff, nursing staff, residents, students, and other allied health professionals at SAVAHCS as required. Instructs patients and family members in the appropriate use of medications. Adjusts communication and tracking methods based on age and developmental considerations. Refers patients to educational programs provided at the medical center by multidisciplinary teams. Program Management. Serves as the Residency Program Director for the Post-Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) Oncology Pharmacy residency program. Assists in planning and implementing of Pharmacy quality assurance activities. Manages therapeutic plans according to best evidence or VHA and/or SAVAHCS published guidelines. Collaboratively monitors patients with the prescriber including adjusting medications and ordering laboratory tests to ensure effective and safe therapy. Assists in the operations of the other areas of the Pharmacy Service including distribution and clinical work in other areas (e.g., medication order review and verification, relief help in other clinics or in the pharmacies as needed). Ensures timely completion of all position pre-requisites and requirements established by SAVAHCS, VISN and VHA (e.g., documentation of licensure, education hours, mandatory training, unsigned notes). Ensures timely and accurate completion of all encounters and consults as established by SAVAHCS, VISN and VHA. Research. Assists in designing and completing research studies involving clinical pharmacist functions, quality assurance, medication use evaluations, or pharmacotherapy. Participates in collaborative research studies involving pharmacotherapy with other services. Supervises projects required by pharmacy residents and students Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30AM - 4:00PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the

Created: 2026-02-09