Clinical Pharmacist (Oncology) at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Purpose

• The Clinical Pharmacist (Oncology) will ensure the safe, effective, and evidence-based use of medications for cancer patients at AMCE. The role holder will offer specialized pharmaceutical care, collaborate with oncology teams, and actively participate in treatment planning, patient education, and research initiatives to optimize cancer therapy outcomes.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Oncology Medication Management

• Dispense and verify chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and supportive care medications.
• Conduct comprehensive medication reviews for oncology patients to assess appropriateness and safety.
• Monitor for drug interactions, contraindications, and adverse effects specific to cancer therapies.
• Manage high-risk medications (e.g., cytotoxic drugs) following institutional and international safety protocols.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous oncology medications.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all oncology-related prescriptions and interventions.

Clinical Collaboration and Patient Care

• Participate in oncology ward rounds and tumor boards to provide pharmacological expertise.
• Collaborate with oncologists to develop individualized treatment plans for patients.
• Recommend evidence-based alternatives for refractory or high-toxicity cases.
• Conduct medication reconciliation during transitions of care (admission, transfer, discharge).
• Provide pharmacokinetic monitoring for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices (e.g., methotrexate).
• Support palliative care teams in pain and symptom management.

Patient and Caregiver Education

• Counsel patients and caregivers on chemotherapy regimens, side effects, and self-management strategies.
• Develop and distribute educational materials tailored to oncology patients (e.g., oral chemotherapy guides).
• Address medication adherence barriers and provide culturally sensitive education.
• Conduct follow-up calls or virtual consultations for high-risk patients post-discharge.
• Educate on infection prevention and neutropenia precautions.
• Facilitate support group sessions or workshops for cancer patients.

Medication Safety and Compliance:

• Implement and audit compliance with applicable/ relevant standards for hazardous drug handling.
• Report and analyze adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and near misses in oncology treatments.
• Lead root-cause analyses for medication errors and develop corrective actions.
• Ensure 100% compliance with institutional and international oncology protocols.
• Train staff on safe handling and administration of oncology medications.
• Maintain up-to-date protocols for emergency management of extravasation or hypersensitivity reactions.

Research and Evidence-Based Practice

• Participate in oncology clinical trials and research projects.
• Evaluate emerging cancer therapies and contribute to formulary reviews.
• Collaborate with oncology teams to develop treatment guidelines and pathways.
• Monitor real-world outcomes of novel therapies.
• Stay updated on approvals and clinical practice updates.

Inventory and Cost Management

• Minimize waste through dose-banding and vial-sharing initiatives.
• Negotiate with suppliers to reduce drug expenditure without compromising quality.
• Track and report budget performance for oncology pharmacy services.
• Implement strategies to prevent stockouts of critical cancer therapies.
• Conduct quarterly audits of inventory turnover and expiry rates.

Supportive Care and Survivorship

• Optimize antiemetic, analgesic, and antimicrobial prophylaxis regimens.
• Collaborate with nutritionists to address cachexia or malnutrition.
• Provide guidance on fertility preservation and hormone therapy post-cancer treatment.
• Develop survivorship care plans including long-term medication monitoring.
• Address drug-drug interactions in patients with comorbid conditions.

Education, Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from an accredited institution.
• Valid license/registration to practice.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a Clinical Pharmacist, preferably in an oncology setting.
• Postgraduate certification or residency training in Oncology Pharmacy (preferred).
• Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy or equivalent (Desirable).
• Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacology, or Oncology (Desirable).
• Additional certifications (e.g., Chemotherapy Compounding Certification, Hazardous Drug Management).
• In-depth knowledge of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and supportive care medications.
• Good understanding of cancer biology, tumor markers, and pharmacogenomics in oncology treatment.
• Familiarity with clinical trial protocols and investigational oncology drugs.
• Proficiency in drug interaction screening, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and pharmacokinetics.
• Ability to interpret lab results for dose adjustments.
• Experience in medication reconciliation, polypharmacy management, and deprescribing in cancer patients.
• Proficiency in oncology EHR modules, chemotherapy order entry systems, and clinical decision support tools.
• Experience with pharmacy automation (e.g., robotic dispensing, barcode scanning).
• Ability to analyze drug utilization and adverse event data for quality improvement.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex drug-related issues (e.g., managing toxicities, drug shortages).
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