Pharmacist Jobs

Oncology Pharmacist Jobs

Oncology Pharmacist is the branch of medicine that deals with tumors, including study of their development, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It plays a significant role in a cancer patients treatment by dispensing not just the prescription, but valuable information for the patient throughout the therapy, including side-effect counseling and management and proper handling techniques. Pharmacists are making significant contributions to the profession through specialized pharmaceutical care. The oncology pharmacist keeps the knowledge of appropriate doses, Pharmacokinetics, incompatibilities, special administration procedure, acute and cumulative toxic manifestation, unique databases and counseling.

Chemotherapy admixture:
Oncology pharmacists jobs mainly deals with cancer patients. Approximately 60 per cent of cancer patients will be referred to a medical oncologist or hematologist, and two-thirds of these patients (about 40 per cent) will receive chemotherapy. The oncology pharmacist with the help of physicians can prepare a treatment protocol including approximate treatment cost for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, adjuvant therapy, etc. Pharmacists can help in monitoring IV admixture administration and preventing medication errors by reviewing the prescription and educating nursing professionals on safe handling and administration of cytotoxic drugs. Chemo drugs must be handled and kept safely to prevent losses, accidental over dosage and wrong medication. These drugs are very expensive and once the wrong selection of solvent or improper shaking or maintaining inappropriate temperature during admixture and storage, all this conditions may lead to crystal or precipitation or foam formation and ultimately this preparation reduces its potency, stability and quality. Exposure to cytotoxic drugs can be harmful. Direct exposure to cytotoxic agents can occur during admixture, administration or handling and involves inhalation, ingestion or absorption. Pharmacists a professionally trained in drug admixture helps in making such preparation appropriate.
The Clinical Oncology Pharmacist will be responsible for developing policies & procedures regarding the safe preparation of oncological products. In collaboration with the Oncology Physicians on staff, the Clinical Pharmacist is directly involved in prescribing, dispensing, administering and monitoring chemotherapeutic agents in the oncology infusion site as well as the cancer care program.

To become an oncologist, complete the first four year of medical school, graduating with an M.D degree. Complete an internal residency programme of two to four years and enter into an company for training. Sinclair pharmaceuticals, National Institute of Health, Intas BioPharmaceuticas and Ferndale Laboratories are some of the companies hiring oncology pharmacists. Doctor of Pharmacy from an accredited School of Pharmacy. Current licensure (or eligibility) as a Pharmacist. One year post-graduate residency (or 3 years experience).