Clinical Ambulatory Oncology Pharmacist

Clinical Ambulatory Oncology Pharmacist

JOB SUMMARY

Provides clinical oncology pharmacy services, including drug information, pharmacokinetics, patient education, and participation in multidisciplinary patient care groups within the Yolanda G Barco Oncology Institute.  Will be responsible for developing program to assist in the management of the oral chemotherapy medications including dose adjustments, monitoring, education, and procurement.  Ensures the accurate and appropriate use of pharmaceuticals for patients of all ages in the hospital within the standards of professional practice and in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Pharmacy.

JOB DUTIES

• Serve as clinical ambulatory oncology pharmacist
• Staffing component at main hospital of every 8^th weekend
• Responsible for the development of an oral chemotherapy program, which includes
  • Design standard operating procedures for oral chemotherapy enrollment, clinical tracking, and toxicity management
  • Implement proactive outreach protocols to monitor patient adherence
  • Conduct regular telephone or in-person assessments to manage drug side effects and adjust doses
  • Coordinate with financial navigators to secure prior authorizations and co-pay assistance
• Provide education to patients and pharmacists on chemotherapy medications
• Review and verify complex IV and oral chemotherapy orders
• Oversee the safe preparation and hazardous compounding of hazardous chemotherapy medications
• Work collaboratively with oncologists, advanced practice providers, pharmacy staff, and nursing staff
• Assist with the decision-making process in the selection of appropriate evidence-based prophylaxis, chemotherapeutic, and supportive care regimens
• Precept pharmacy students completing oncology pharmacy learning experiences.
• Calculate drug doses, including pharmacokinetic dosing
• Review patient drug regimens, interpret clinical data, identify drug interactions or incompatibilities, and consult with prescriber, nurse, or other health care professional as needed
• Participate in the maintenance of the drug formulary, including evaluation of new drugs, suggestions for deletions, review of all drug classes, and therapeutic interchange.
• Participate in the maintenance and effective use of drug information resources.
• Develop and participate in quality improvement efforts relating to medication management.
• Must understand clinical pharmacy in the hospital and outpatient setting, including the ability to provide medication therapy evaluations and recommendations to physicians, other healthcare workers, and patients.
• Must be able to calculate drug doses for patients of all ages.
• Must be able to interpret lab values and other patient data including age and weight and understand the effect on medication dosing.
• Must be able to supervise technicians performing pharmacy tasks.
• Must be able to work in a group setting and attend multidisciplinary meetings relating to medication management issues.
• Reports directly to Pharmacy Supervisor and Pharmacy Manager

SPECIFIC JOB DEMANDS

• Strength: Light Work - Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling 20 Lbs. occasionally, frequently up to 10 Lbs., or negligible amount constantly. Can include walking and or standing frequently even though weight is negligible. Can include pushing and or pulling of arm and or leg controls.
• Reaching: Frequently - Extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
• Handling: Frequently - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift automobile gears.
• Fingering: Frequently - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Talking: Frequently - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Frequently - Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear.
• Near Acuity: Frequently - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.
• Accommodation: Frequently - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This factor is required when doing near point work at varying distances from the eye.
• Color Vision: Frequently - Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• The position requires a Bachelor of Science degree or Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D).
• The pharmacist must have a current, valid license as a registered pharmacist in the state of Pennsylvania or eligible for reciprocation in current state within 90 days of hire.
• The position requires familiarization with administrative and functional concepts of drug distribution and control, drug therapy practices, and clinical aspects of oncology pharmacy practice.
• Must be able to read and interpret printed or handwritten medication orders and be familiar with the use of computers, automated dispensing cabinets, laminar flow and biological safety hoods, and other equipment such as pharmaceutical balance, graduates, and mortar and pestle.
• Must possess good communication and supervisory skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The working conditions are those typical of a contemporary hospital pharmacy and outpatient infusion center with unit dose drug distribution, IV admixture program, drug information and clinical services, all with computerized applications.
• Clinical Ambulatory Oncology Pharmacist will work on-site Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. This role includes an every-eighth-weekend rotation in the main hospital pharmacy and participation in a holiday rotation of one holiday per year, alternating between major and minor holidays.  This position will also include staffing in the on-site cancer center pharmacy.

DISCLOSURE

• MMC commits to review, under the intent of this standard, and in coordination with medical professional opinion’s and physical demands job analysis performed by certified professionals, an individual’s ability to be reasonably accommodated within the role they are responsible and qualified to perform.
• MMC is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and providing equal opportunity employment for qualified persons with disabilities. All employment practices and activities are conducted on a nondiscriminatory basis. Meadville Medical Center will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection that the ADA.
• Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific tasks does not exclude them from the position if the task is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position, or is imperative for patient care and to meet emergency situations.

Experience

• Required
  • Prior hospital pharmacist experience required
  • Hematology/Oncology training and/or experience is required

Licenses & Certifications

• Preferred
  • Completion of a Post-Graduate Year 1 Residency (PGY1), fellowship, or relevant post-graduate pharmacy experience
  • Completion of a Post-Graduate Year 2 residency (PGY2) in Oncology
  • Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy
• Required
  • Pharmacist