Oncology Pharmacist

This role involves the accurate and timely preparation, dispensing, and distribution of chemotherapy medications while ensuring patient safety and adherence to protocols. The pharmacist will review patient profiles and lab results to prevent drug interactions and promote rational drug use. Close collaboration with physicians and nursing staff is essential to verify prescriptions, manage inventory, and maintain comprehensive documentation. The position also includes providing drug information, conducting training sessions, and supporting continuous quality improvement within the pharmacy department.

Key Responsibilities

- Ensure the timely dispensing, dilution, and distribution of chemotherapy medications by reviewing patient profiles and computerized physician order entry (CPOE) to prevent drug interactions and promote rational drug use.
- Verify patient profiles and baseline laboratory results such as CBC, LFT, and Creatinine before preparing chemotherapy protocols. Generate three copies of the protocol for nursing, patient, and pharmacy records.
- Double-check manual prescription forms, ensuring they are properly signed before issuing and preparing chemotherapy drugs.
- Issue intrathecal drugs (e.g., Methotrexate, Cytarabine, Hydrocortisone) early to minimize errors.
- Confirm the correct diagnosis, patient age, and chemotherapy protocol or phase before regimen preparation.
- Counter-check and verify all chemotherapy drugs before final preparation and handover to nursing staff.
- Maintain hard copy records of chemotherapy issuance to uphold patient rights and document any unadministered or refunded medications.
- Communicate with physicians regarding any discrepancies in medication orders, document interventions, and escalate unresolved issues to the clinical team and formulary committee.
- Coordinate with physicians to arrange alternatives if medications are unavailable. If no substitute exists, process Non-Formulary (NFI) requests with appropriate approvals.
- Monitor inventory levels, report discrepancies or shortages to Pharmacy Management, and prepare requisitions for the warehouse.
- Receive goods from the warehouse, verify batch numbers, expiry dates, quantities, packaging, and cold chain requirements. Ensure proper storage conditions are maintained.
- Ensure proper storage of light-sensitive, cytotoxic, high-alert, and look-alike/sound-alike drugs. Monitor sterile areas for correct temperature, humidity, and pressure.
- Provide drug information to healthcare professionals as needed and maintain records of such communications.
- Submit monthly stock reports detailing fast-moving, slow-moving, expired, broken, and damaged items.
- Provide technical support and conduct training sessions for pharmacy staff.
- Prepare and present Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions on pharmaceutical topics.
- Submit monthly reports on drug interventions and related information to the Manager or Deputy Manager.
- Ensure preventive maintenance of pharmaceutical equipment, including refrigerators, air conditioners, and biological safety cabinets, is completed on schedule. Provide regular updates and KPI reports to management.
- Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Location Supervisor or Pharmacy Management.

Required Qualifications

- Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent qualification.
- Proven experience in chemotherapy drug preparation and handling.
- Strong knowledge of chemotherapy protocols, drug interactions, and patient safety standards.
- Familiarity with inventory management and pharmaceutical equipment maintenance.
- Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with healthcare professionals.
- Ability to maintain meticulous records and documentation.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience in conducting training sessions and Continuing Medical Education (CME) presentations.
- Knowledge of formulary management and Non-Formulary Item (NFI) processes.
- Exposure to sterile compounding environments and handling of high-alert medications.
- Opportunities for professional development and contribution to clinical pharmacy services.

This position offers a dynamic environment where attention to detail and patient safety are paramount, with opportunities to engage in educational initiatives and quality improvement activities.