UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HOSPITAL PHARMACY SERVICES POSITION DESCRIPTION

PH-14-39 Revised 12/09

POSITION TITLE: PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY CLINICAL PHARMACIST SPECIALIST

POSITION PURPOSE AND SUMMARY: 1.0 DESCRIPTION

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Specialist provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care to Pediatric Oncology (inpatient and outpatient) and Hemophilia outpatients through integrated patient assessment and monitoring, drug distribution, clinical services, research and teaching.

2.0 QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a Pharm.D. Degree. • Substantial pediatric oncology experience or has completed a Pharmacy Practice

Residency with experience in Pediatrics or a specialized clinical residency in pediatrics.

• Licensed as a pharmacist in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. • Maintains competency in unique aspects of drug therapy for pediatric oncology

and/or hemophilia patients. 3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

The major job responsibilities (MJRs) of this position are: pharmaceutical care to Pediatric Oncology patients, drug distribution support, clinical intervention, investigational drug studies, research, teaching and pharmacy representation in Medical Center committees. The following activities are components of the position to assist in meeting the major job responsibilities: • Provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care to Pediatric Oncology patients. • Provide clinical pharmacy support for inpatient pediatric H/O service • Communicates medication order clarification with the inpatient pediatric

pharmacy satellite staff.. • Monitor drug therapy to evaluate appropriateness of use, dose, dosage form,

regimen, route, therapeutic duplication, and drug interactions. • Provide pharmacokinetic consultations as required. • Prevent, detect, monitor, document, and report adverse drug reactions and

medications errors. • Participate in the drug therapy management of medical emergencies.

• Promote the use of the formulary by converting non-formulary orders to formulary when possible, but coordinates procurement of non-formulary drugs when necessary.(SCM ).

• Facilitate discharge/transfer for Pediatric Oncology patients, relative to drug therapy.

• Anticipate discharge/transfer date and medications. • Facilitate discharge/transfer planning and smooth transition to alternate site of

care or the outpatient pharmacy. (inpatient nurse coordinator’s responsibility)

Specific Outpatient Pediatric Oncology and Infusion Pharmacy functions: • Responsible for writing inpatient, and outpatient chemotherapy orders, • calculating body surface areas, calculating all patient specific • doses, calculating needed compatible fluids for admixture, writing for • pre and post chemo hydration and adjunct medications. • Responsible for providing clinical support for pediatric H/O clinic and UK • Children’s Hospital inpatient nursing staff regarding chemotherapy • Medication administration and related questions. • Responsible for reading COG protocols in specific to treatment plans, medication

administration guidelines, medication dosing adjustments, required labs as they pertain to appropriate dosing, and toxicity monitoring and adjusting subsequent dosing.

• Responsible for dispensing out patient parental chemotherapy medications as needed. A UK clinic pharmacy technician will be responsible for preparing the chemo therapy either at the pediatric H/O clinic on appointed days.

• Responsible for processing chemotherapy medication orders in a computerized patient files in the pediatric H/O clinic.

• Responsible for ordering and maintaining chemotherapy and adjunct medications, and needed supplies for the Pediatric H/O Clinic Pharmacy.

• Responsible for reviewing and forwarding medication bills to Department staff assistance for processing.

• Responsible for maintaining up to date medication references for the Peds H/O clinic pharmacy.

• Responsible for keeping the clinic pharmacy compliant with KY Board of Pharmacy regulations.

• Responsible for conducting medication interviews with care givers of pediatric H/O clinic patients. Medication profiles will be added to patients’ charts, and will be updated with each patient visit.(Goal for 2006)

• Responsible for maintaining chemotherapy medication files in the pharmacy with a copy of chemotherapy medications orders and relevant chemotherapy protocol information.

• Responsible for providing pharmacokinetic services for outpatient and inpatient pediatric H/O patients.

• Responsible for assisting with pain management of outpatient pediatric oncology patients.

• Responsible for providing medication consults to pediatric H/O attending, nurse practitioner, and nursing staff.

• Responsible for developing policy and procedures for chemotherapy medication preparations, storage, and dispensing at the Pediatric H/O Clinic. Pharmacy, to be used as a reference in the absence of regular clinic pharmacist.

• Responsible for providing pharmaceutical care to select pediatric none Hematology/Oncology patients through coordination of specialized infusion medication procurement and administration. Work closely with pediatric GI nurse coordinators/attending to schedule and provide Remicaide infusions in the pediatric H/O clinic infusion room. Responsible for maintaining a cost effective inventory of specialized infusion medications and coordinate insurance verification issues.

• Responsible for reviewing monthly KMSF billing summary for medications dispensed.

• Responsible for ordering narcotic medications for use in the Sedation Suit. Responsible for maintaining narcotic usage records and proper storage.

Specific Outpatient Hemophilia Treatment Center functions:

• Servicing the needs of the UK HTC 340B program, including dispensing hemophilia factor, managing inventory, reviewing billing for accuracy, creating and updating patient files with type and quantity of factors dispensed each month, and working with KMSF and UK HTC to assure appropriate blood factor dispensing and inventory management.

• Responsible for reviewing the factor invoices for billing accuracy. • Promote and demonstrate rational, cost-effective drug therapy. • Identify and implement drug therapy where positive

pharmacoeconomic impact could be achieved. The ultimate goal is to develop and assure cost effective clinical pathways.

• Document clinical interventions and cost avoidance • Anticipate changes in drug therapy and report the potential impact it

will represent to the overall hospital and drug budget.

Facilitate investigational drug studies. • Coordinate the pharmaceutical care of ongoing research in pediatric oncology.

Provide in-services for pediatric oncology related investigational studies to the nurses and pharmacy staff.

• Anticipate the pharmacoeconomic impact of investigational drug studies. • Take a leadership role in the teaching programs of the Department of

Pharmacy Services and College of Pharmacy as they are related to pediatric oncology. Precept Pharm.D. clerkship students

• Precept and mentor pharmacy practice and pediatric specialty residents. • Provide staff development support to nurses, and physicians.

• Provide presentations, publications, and other informative activities on pediatric oncology and other drug-related topics to the health care community and general public.

• Seek appropriate academic appointment with the College of Pharmacy. 4.0 RELATIONSHIPS • The position will be funded 77% KMSF, 23% UK Hospital for salary and

benefits. • Will report to the Associate Director of Pharmacy Services and Director of the

Pediatric Oncology/Hemophilia Treatment Center. • Works collaboratively with pharmacy staff.

5.0 PATIENT POPULATION SERVED Provides pharmaceutical care to pediatric and adolescent oncology patients, adults are treated in the HTC.