Job Description

Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation’s largest, community-based cancer care specialists, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee Oncology’s mission remains unchanged: To provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home. Our growing network of physicians and locations is based on this mission. Tennessee Oncology is committed to advancing both the science of detection and targeted treatments, and to making these advances available to every patient. We believe caring for cancer patients is a privilege.

Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

Clinical Research Pharmacist is responsible for providing clinical resources to clinical trial patients, research department staff, and pharmacy department staff. Assures local, state, national, and federal regulatory compliance for all medication-related components of clinical trial protocols. Assures pharmacy product quality and compliance with legal pharmacy standards. Oversees delegated pharmacist and pharmacy technicians in the preparation of sterile IV admixtures of investigational products and dispensing of oral investigational products. Provides clinical support and oversight for delegated staff pharmacists and pharmacy technicians for all clinical trial protocols. Provides clinical pharmacy services though drug information, patient education, and to the professional staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as coordinator/liaison between research and pharmacy departments for all clinical trial needs
• Participate in feasibility assessment, protocol review, and site initiation visit (SIV) for all clinical trials
• Provide enhanced oversight for all double-blind clinical trials, including serving as primary un-blinded pharmacist, pharmacy binder maintenance, drug preparation, receipt, destruction, and data entry (when applicable)
• Serve as the training and regulatory point of contact for all delegated pharmacy personnel, including providing ongoing training to pharmacy staff when needed
• Maintain study pharmacy manuals and/or protocols in pharmacy shared drive for pharmacy staff reference
• Communicate with sponsor study monitors and respond to all pharmacy-related inquiries in a timely manner
• Maintain inventory of investigational products in designated storage locations
• Dispense investigational product(s) for all clinical trial patients; research coordinators will provide additional coverage if needed
• Pharmacy contacts for all research-related pharmacy questions (questions from site staff, pharmacists, research team)
• Collaborate with research and pharmacy departments to create interdepartmental standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Assure the appropriateness of medication therapy (investigational and commercial) through:
  • Review and complete medication reconciliation for clinical trial patients during screening and on an as needed basis
  • Review of medication orders for clinical appropriateness based on patients’ specific conditions and concomitant therapies
  • Compound and accurately dispense, intravenous solutions and related supplies
  • Formulate, prepare, and maintain quality control of pharmaceutical preparations
  • Check medication preparation and oversee delegated pharmacy services performed by pharmacy technicians
  • Communication with prescribers and providers regarding appropriateness of drug therapy and patient response to therapy
• Build and update treatment regimens in EMR for all clinical trial protocols
• Fulfill responsibilities listed in various pharmacist job descriptions on an as-needed basis (e.g., critically low staffing levels)
• Function as a team member by expanding the responsibilities as directed by management to facilitate optimal workflow within the cancer center
• Completes expected competencies as defined by manager
• Serve on various committees, as requested, as expert resource for IDS
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned requested and/or required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Proven presentation experience
• Possess the personal characteristics of professionalism, credibility, commitment to high standards, and innovation
• Adept to continual learning and development
• Effective communication skills including patient education, staff mentoring and drug information to the extended health care team
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and within a team
• Accomplished in team building and management
• Ability to change between tasks with accuracy and proficiency
• Knowledge and compliance of regulatory bodies that apply to IDS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD); Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy (BS Pharm)
• Successful completion of a PGY1 and/or PGY2 residency specializing in oncology or 3 years of clinical pharmacy/IDS experience.
• Current, active, and unrestricted Tennessee Pharmacy licensure.