Kettering Health is a not-for-profit system of 13 medical centers and more than 120 outpatient facilities serving southwest Ohio. We are committed to transforming the health care experience with high-quality care for every stage of life. Our service-oriented mission is in action every day, whether it’s by providing care in our facilities, training the next generation of health care professionals, or serving others through international outreach.

Kettering Health Hamilton

• Kettering Health Hamilton, formerly Fort Hamilton Hospital, has been serving the Hamilton community for over 90 years.
• Leads the way to better health in the Butler County area, serving patients from Fairfield, Oxford, Cincinnati, Middletown and surrounding communities.
• KH Hamilton offerings include maternity, emergency, the most advanced wound healing in Butler County, and a range of outpatient services. 
• In 2020, KH Hamilton received an “A” from the Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog, ranking among the safest hospitals in the United States.
• Full-service, community hospital licensed for 203 beds. 
• In 2020, KH Hamilton received several awards from Healthgrades:
  • America’s 250 Best Hospitals (2018-2020)
  • America’s 100 Best Pulmonary Care (2018-2020)
  • Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award (2020)

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Specialist will work alongside our oncology providers and nursing staff to deliver optimal care to the patients at one of our four Kettering Health Network oncology locations (Kettering, Soin, Troy, Fort Hamilton). The pharmacist is responsible for coordinating and delivering pharmacy services in compliance with all applicable policies, regulatory agency requirements, state and federal laws and participating in the quality improvement process to ensure safe, effective, and efficient delivery of quality care.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE ONCOLOGY CLINICAL PHARMACY SPECIALIST:

• Performs job responsibilities in accordance with organizational and departmental policies and procedures, performance improvement objectives and environmental/infection control standards. Develops and implement processes to comply with the HFAP (Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program) and regulatory requirements.
• Completes therapeutic monitoring, patient assessments, interpretation of lab values, and pharmacokinetic calculations for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, investigational medications, or supportive care medications.
• Advises clinicians on drug selection, dosing, etc. based on current clinical guidelines and literature.
• Performs computer order entry in an accurate and timely manner.
• Reviews/updates medication profiles and is cognizant of patient charges.
• Review medication orders for therapeutic appropriateness, duplications, interactions, overall effectiveness, and safety. Readily seeks clarification if necessary while maintaining appropriate documentation.
• Identifies need for additional pathology testing in a given diagnosis to further support therapeutic decision making
• Assists in conversion of typical inpatient regimens/desensitizations to outpatient protocols per insurance requirements
• Advises and provides recommendations to KHN oncology practitioners regarding supportive care, prophylaxis, empiric dose modifications, toxicity related dose adjustments, etc.
• Collaborates directly with physicians on quality improvement projects
• Works directly with patient assistance team on acquiring free drug from various manufacturers for patients
• Consistently works and problem solves independently and effectively.
• Supports teamwork and cooperation with co-workers in daily activities. Readily volunteers assistance to help co-workers' complete tasks.
• Participates in nursing education activities.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvements with the goal to provide prompt, safe and efficient patient care.
• Actively promotes pharmacy by participating in multidisciplinary in-services/meetings, individualized drug information, consults.
• Participates in the education/experiential training of pharmacy students and pharmacy residents.
• Actively assist in P&T initiatives through monitoring of documented interventions, review of potential formulary addition requests, and assessment of alternative cost-effective pharmaceuticals.
• Actively enhances personal growth and development by participating in educational programs, literature searches, in-services, and meetings. Assists with new employee orientation, training, and evaluations.
• Duties performed may include one or more of the following core functions:
  • Directly interacting with or caring for patients;
  • Directly interacting with or caring for human-subjects research participants;
  • Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting patient records (including patient financial records); or
  • Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting human-subjects research records.
• Maintains a positive attitude, respects diversity, and works well with others.
• Supervises the activities of the pharmacy technician.
• Attends any infusion-related reactions and assists with managing any acute symptoms.
• Seeks out and applies new pharmaceutical concepts and information as available. Disseminates current information to support other professional staff.
• Compounds sterile products according to current guidelines (ASHP, USP, NIOSH).
• Adheres to safety requirements in the handling and preparation of chemotherapy and other hazardous agents. Pharmacist also must maintain competencies to compound any intravenous medications (i.e. immunotherapy, chemotherapy)
• Attend P&T or subcommittee meeting assigned by the supervisor PRN.
• Assist and collaborate with pharmacy leadership and clinic team on developing and implementing new process or improvements.
• Support the workflow to increase oral prescription capture rate.
• Quality/Operational process improvement project PRN.
• Medication use evaluation or Drug Class review PRN.
• Evaluates/reconciles all current patient medications including over the counter and herbal medication for drug interactions.
• Attend multidisciplinary team meeting assigned by the supervisor.
• Understands 340B operations and practices medication distribution in compliance with standards.

SKILLS / ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Computer literacy
• English proficiency
• Ability to work independently and supervise others
• Effective communication (both written and oral) and interpersonal skills
• Organizational ability with attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to work well on a team.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to pass area-specific competencies.

LICENSES

Current pharmacy licensure by the state of Ohio

Maintenance of continuing education as required by law

EDUCATION

Graduation from an accredited college of pharmacy (BS Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy)

EXPERIENCE

Must meet one of the following requirements:

• PGY1 residency or 3 years of hospital experience with exposure to oncology

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Minimizes drug waste
• Dispenses medications according to accepted standards of practice and evidence
• Demonstrates competency and compliance with 340B regulations

Preferred experiences:

• PGY2 oncology residency
• BCOP certification
• Worked in oncology clinical practice in multidisciplinary team
• Experience in creating treatment plans in Epic/Beacon
• Experience in performing medication use evaluations, cost-saving initiatives and/or leading quality improvement project
• Experience in clinical research