Pharmacist, Clinical Oncology

Description

JOB SUMMARY: The Clinical Oncology Pharmacist will be involved with the care of cancer patients at all phases of treatment; from assessment and diagnosis to treatment decisions, medication management, symptom management and supportive care. The pharmacist will work with other care providers to ensure a current and accurate medication list, select the most appropriate therapy, monitor for side effects of prescribed medications, and manage adverse effects. As the care of cancer patients continues to be a challenge with high-cost therapies, the oncology pharmacist is relied upon as a resource for the patient to be able to afford treatment by utilizing outside resources. They will support for the clinical team in an effort to improve overall cancer care and patient quality of life. Also having oversight of safety, appropriateness and effectiveness of pharmaceutical care provided to consumers as related to medications dispensed, and ensure compliance with all federal, state, local and private health insurance plan regulations.

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conducts medication reconciliation to ensure the medication list is accurate.
2. Helps with treatment decision making based on current literature and NCCN Guidelines.
3. Performs benefits investigation for oral oncology medications and obtains prior authorization if necessary.
4. Triages prescriptions to outside specialty pharmacy if mandated by insurance and performs follow-up and education.
5. Screens for allergies, drug/drug, and drug/disease state interactions.
6. Ensures all recommended labs and tests are performed or scheduled before the start of new therapy.
7. Helps decrease the financial burden of cancer treatment with the utilization of outside resources, including grants and patient assistance.
8. Counsels patients on prescribed medications per pharmacy regulations.
9. Provides educational materials to patients and caregivers in a format that is easy to understand, including the proper handling and disposal of chemotherapy.
10. Ensure patients are adherent and monitor/manage side effects by making supportive care recommendations or suggesting dose reductions based on FDA-approved package insert recommendations.
11. Screens patients for enrollment in the injection program and helps ensure patients do not incur added cost.
12. Ensures that all doses, routes, and dosing intervals are appropriate for the patient's age, weight, height, and diagnosis.
13. Serves as an advocate for patient access to drugs as well as consulting with the patient on benefits, assisting with obtaining prior authorizations, and any other way that assists the patient with accessing drugs.
14. Ensures that appropriate patient education material is provided to the patients and caregivers from appropriate source such as manufacturer or other sources.
15. Ensures all medication orders will be reviewed against patient profiles in order to identify potential adverse drug reactions. When an allergy or intolerable reaction is validated, recommends a corrective action to the prescribing physician.
16. Oversees Pharmacy Technicians.
17. Performs quality assurance activities as assigned.
18. Provides drug information to patients, physicians, nurses, and Team Members. Counsel patients regarding medications.
19. Attends weekly Tumor Board.
20. When appropriate, meets with industry to learn about recent clinical trial or new indications.
21. Provides education and in-services for Pharmacy Technicians, nurses, and Team Members.
22. Provides orientation and training to Pharmacy Team Members.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Supervises Pharmacy Technicians.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE, and REGISTRATION:

1. Bachelor's degree in pharmacy (RPh) required. Doctoral Degree in Pharmacy (PharmD) preferred.
2. Valid Arkansas Pharmacist's license.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

1. 2-4 years' experience in retail pharmacy.
2. Experience in oncology preferred.
3. Experience in specialty pharmacy preferred.
4. Knowledge of medical terminology.
5. Basic math skills.
6. Management skills.
7. Organizational skills.
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
9. Knowledge of aseptic technique and USP 797 requirements.
10. Ability and willingness to work with potential for exposure to hazardous and toxic substances (including chemotherapeutic, cytotoxic drugs, and cleaning solutions) and sticks or cuts from needles and other sharp items.
11. Ability to operate a computer.
12. Ability to handle a high volume of work with acceptable speed and accuracy.
13. Ability to stand and walk for a long period of time.

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
2. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

1. Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.
2. Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians, other departmental Team Members, and outside agencies frequently while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to talk or hear.
2. The Team Member is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment described here is representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.


This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Team Members are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

COMMENTS:

This description is intended to describe the essential functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change duties at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This position is a Safety Sensitive Position . The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the Team Member to maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.