The Oncology Pharmacy Specialist provides expert pharmaceutical care to oncology patients receiving treatment at El Camino Health Cancer Center. This role serves as a clinical resource for physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members across all phases of cancer therapy—from treatment selection and dose optimization to symptom management and supportive care. The Specialist contributes to formulary management, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and staff development initiatives within the infusion center pharmacy.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Pharmacy Practice
Collaborate with oncology providers to optimize patient care across all phases of therapy, including treatment decisions, dose modifications, and supportive care management
Apply clinical expertise to evaluate complex patient cases and provide timely, evidence-based pharmacotherapy recommendations
Conduct thorough chart reviews, verify chemotherapy orders, and initiate clinical interventions as appropriate
Maintain and revise treatment protocols based on current guidelines, emerging data, and institutional needs
Develop and update institutional clinical guidelines to improve patient care and streamline oncology pharmacy workflows
Serve as a liaison between nursing, providers, and pharmacy to ensure open communication and cohesive decision-making
Triage and troubleshoot medication shortages and identify clinically appropriate alternatives and conservation strategies
Formulary & Stewardship
Participate in Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee as a subject matter expert to improve the safety and quality of cancer care
Support formulary reviews, medication use evaluations (MUEs), and drug utilization analyses
Identify and promote cost-effective treatment strategies, including biosimilar utilization and contracted medications
Optimize pharmacy practice by minimizing cost, ensuring appropriate reimbursement, and reducing waste
Collaborate on multidisciplinary initiatives for site-of-care optimization to ensure patients receive care in the appropriate setting
Regulatory & Compliance
Maintain compliance with all applicable state and federal pharmacy regulations, including USP 797 and USP 800 sterile compounding standards
Support preparation for regulatory site visits, including Joint Commission (TJC) readiness activities
Contribute to REMS program compliance and documentation as applicable to assigned oncology agents
Ensure accurate receipt, storage, handling, and recordkeeping for all drugs and compounded preparations
Quality Improvement
Identify opportunities for quality and safety improvement and implement measures to enhance patient care and operational efficiency
Participate in institutional quality improvement committees including Commission on Cancer and Clinical IT Committee
Education & Precepting
Provide educational inservices and clinical resources to nurses, non-oncology pharmacists, and other healthcare staff
Precept IPPE and APPE pharmacy students and PGY1 pharmacy residents; serve as a mentor for professional development
Facilitate meaningful learning experiences including collaboration with advanced practice providers, nursing, and tumor board participation
Model best practices in evidence-based decision-making, clinical communication, and professional conduct
Qualifications – All
Doctorate degree pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an approved college of pharmacy.
One (1) year accredited pharmacy residency.
One (1) year experience in compiling medication use evaluation (MUE) data or equivalent quality assurance (QA) data for Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee.
Assignment Specific Qualifications
Oncology
A minimum of 2 years in an oncology practice or completion of a PGY2 Pharmacy Residency in Oncology.
License/Certification/Registration Requirements
Valid California state pharmacist license with no disciplinary action(s) against the licensee that prohibits the licensee from practicing pharmacy. Valid CA driver’s license
About Michelle Shen: michelle_shen@elcaminohealth.org/650-940-4575
At El Camino Health, you're more than an employee — you're part of something bigger. You are empowering one of the Bay Area's most innovative healthcare systems to deliver nationally recognized, compassionate and collaborative medical care. Through the El Camino Health Medical Network, we provide primary care, urgent care and specialty care services throughout Santa Clara County, California. Our affiliated providers, nurses, specialists, care teams and staff work across over a dozen locations in Santa Clara County to help our patients, our neighbors, our families and friends live healthy and be well.
Current specialist position openings:
Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
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