Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Oncology in Holyoke, Massachusetts at Holyoke Medical Center

Position Summary:

The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Oncology is responsible for reviewing, verifying, and processing oncology medication orders for accuracy, appropriateness, dosing, scheduling, drug interactions, allergies, organ function, and protocol compliance. The specialist prepares and verifies hazardous medications in accordance with USP <797>, USP <800>, institutional policies, and applicable regulatory standards, while also monitoring patients for medication efficacy, adverse drug reactions, toxicity, and therapeutic outcomes.

The position provides drug information and pharmacotherapy recommendations to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers, counsels’ patients and caregivers on chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, supportive care medications, side effect management, and adherence, and participates in multidisciplinary oncology care teams, treatment planning, and clinical rounds as appropriate.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with institutional chemotherapy protocols, clinical pathways, and national oncology guidelines.
• Verify appropriate pre-medications, supportive care regimens, and treatment sequencing.
• Assist in medication reconciliation during transitions of care.
• Participate in antimicrobial stewardship, pain management, and supportive oncology initiatives as applicable.
• Maintain accurate documentation of clinical interventions and patient education.
• Support medication safety initiatives, quality improvement projects, and regulatory readiness.
• Participate in investigational drug services and clinical research activities when applicable.
• Precept pharmacy students, residents, and new staff pharmacists.
• Participate in departmental committees, continuing education, and professional development activities.
• Maintain competency in hazardous drug handling and oncology pharmacy practice.
• Professional Expectations
• Demonstrate ongoing self-improvement by attending department staff meetings and in-service programs, maintaining mandatory attendance requirements, and progressing toward identified developmental goals.
• Oversee the technical functions of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students and direct staff to duties that promote efficiency.
• Keep CII Safe free of discrepancies and follow up on discrepancies identified in MedStations through daily review of the CII Safe Compare report.
• Participate actively in departmental quality control activities and incorporate quality improvement findings into practice, including review of quality control records such as the unit-dose repackaging log and IV/chemo hood cleaning log.
• Minimize chemotherapy waste by pursuing round doses of expensive chemotherapy medications and maintain chemo mixing room readiness at the end of each shift.
• Use time constructively, organize assigned work for maximum productivity, and complete annual unit-specific competencies, including annual stroke education, on time.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy

Licenses/Registrations: Current registration in the State of Massachusetts as a registered pharmacist. BCOP or BCPS preferred

Experience: Four years of chemotherapy experience or PGY1/PGY2 — Oncology preferred; good computer skills are essential