Purpose:

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is internationally recognized for its leadership in the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and is the region's only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute.

As the preeminent institution in western Pennsylvania for the delivery of cancer care, the performance of basic, translational, and clinical research, and the education of the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is exceptionally well-positioned to contribute to the global effort to reduce the burden of cancer.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is currently hiring a Regular Full-Time Oncology Consult Pharmacist to support the Butler Medical Oncology network office located in Butler, PA. This position will work a Monday through Friday daylight schedule and will float to other nearby Hillman locations as needed.

Ensure the provision of cost-effective pharmacotherapy contributing to optimal patient outcomes, provide experiential education for present and future health care practitioners, and support drug-related research. To provide observational oversight for the safe and effective compounding of medications. The dispensing of medications is not within the scope of this position.

Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all regulatory requirements, professional standards of practice, and hospital quality management policies and procedures in providing consultative pharmaceutical care.

• Assist the physicians with the monitoring and dosing of non-chemotherapeutic medications as appropriate (i.e. Anticoagulation Therapy Monitoring).

• Utilize all available technologies in the provision of consultative pharmaceutical care (i.e., computer systems and databases, Acu-Dose, Robot-Rx, pneumatic tube system, etc).

• Provide observational oversight for the safe and effective compounding of medications. Facilitate compliance with Cancer Centers' directives by evaluating and overseeing the appropriate use of high-cost and highly toxic therapies in order to assure suitable control of drug budgets and reimbursement.

• Assist in the education of patients around side effects and potential toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents.

• Advise the clinical team in the identification and proper management of Adverse Drug Events.

• Interpret and evaluate physician orders in order to ensure appropriate medication dosage forms and doses for outpatient chemotherapeutic treatment in accordance with the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Practice Act, Federal Drug Laws, and other regulatory organizations.

• Review, maintain, and screen patient medication records and profiles for allergies, drug interactions and therapeutic duplications while entering orders and/or verifying medication orders.

• Assist with the decision making process in the selection of appropriate evidence-based prophylaxis, chemotherapeutic, and supportive care regimens based on the extent of disease, patient performance status and desired outcome for the treatment of a variety of malignant and nonmalignant conditions.

• Provide education and counseling to patients about side effects, toxicity, and proper administration of study/protocol medications.

• Communicate with physicians and nurses to insure prompt clarification of orders that are unclear, illegible, or incomplete.

• Sustain the formulary by minimizing non-formulary procurements, utilizing therapeutic interchange protocols, and promoting rational drug therapy selection.

• Advise nursing staff in the administration of dangerous and toxic bioimmunotherapies and biochemotherapies.

• Provide drug information and/or educational programs to healthcare professionals and pharmacy students.

• Develop medication related treatment protocols in consultation with the physicians.

• Identify and report suspected adverse drug reactions accurately and in a timely manner.

• B.S. degree in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D.) from an accredited school of pharmacy is required.

• 3-6 months hospital pharmacy experience is preferred.

• Previous experience or familiarity with investigational drug control procedures and protocol design is preferred.

• Previous oncology experience preferred.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Pharmacist

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran