Learn more about the duties, practice settings, typical workdays, and educational opportunities, as well as personal advice from pharmacists in this practice area.
What is hematology / oncology pharmacy?
Hematology/oncology pharmacists (oncology pharmacists) play an important role in the delivery of care for individuals living with cancer. Oncology pharmacists are involved with all phases of cancer treatment; from assessment and diagnosis, to treatment decisions, medication management, symptom management and supportive care, end-of-life care, and survivorship programs at the completion of treatment. Oncology pharmacists work with providers to ensure a current and accurate medication list, select the most appropriate therapy, monitor the effects of medications prescribed, and manage the adverse effects which often accompany cancer treatment.
Where does an oncology pharmacist work?
An oncology pharmacist’s practice settings include cancer centers, academic medical centers, community hospitals, outpatient oncology centers or infusion centers, medical oncology community practices, community pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, home healthcare companies, palliative care or hospice settings, professional or regulatory organizations, and pharmaceutical industry.
For example, an oncology pharmacist can practice in an academic medical center with a specialized cancer center and focus on solid tumor malignancies.
What does a typical workday look like?
For an oncology pharmacist, a typical workday involves ensuring safety in the compounding and dispensing of chemotherapy, maintaining an adequate supply of medications, minimizing drug waste, minimizing unnecessary exposure to hazardous drugs, and managing financial toxicity of cancer drugs.
Oncology pharmacists work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to develop guidelines and collaborative practice agreements, and make evidence-based decisions to improve patient care. Oncology pharmacists also participate on committees to improve the quality of cancer care, and develop policies and implement programs to ensure the safety of staff and patients during the preparation, administration, and monitoring of anticancer agents.
For example, an oncology pharmacist can be embedded in a clinic as a member of the oncology care team and meet with patients daily to provide anticancer medication education, as well as review and process infusion center medication orders and teach didactic hematology and oncology topics to student pharmacists and precepting pharmacist learners in the clinic.
What educational opportunities are available for pharmacists in this area?
- In addition to residencies, some oncology pharmacists complete ASHP Continuing Education - Traineeships to enhance their knowledge in the practice area.
- Many pharmacists in this field complete work toward being BCPS certified. To find out more about board certification, you can visit the Board of Pharmacy Specialties Board Certification webpage.
How can I learn more about this career path?
- There are many pharmacists in this field who are featured in ASHP Member Spotlights. Visit ASHP Member Spotlight – Carolyn Oxencis to learn more about the work of a hematology/oncology pharmacist.
- The Board of Pharmacy has profiles outlining various career paths. Visit Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) – Oncology Pharmacy to learn more about pharmacy practice in Hematology/Oncology.
- The Medical College of Wisconsin has a video outlining the responsibilities of a hematology/oncology pharmacist.
Member Career Profiles
Carolyn J. Oxencis, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center
Clinical Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy
What interested you in pharmacy and this career path?
“I am passionate about patient and caregiver education. Oncology pharmacists are viewed as the cancer medication experts who focus their time providing direct patient care and actively participating in clinical decision-making. As a result of the need for expert knowledge of medications used to treat cancer and its associated side effects, oncology pharmacists often play a role in the education of other healthcare providers, patients, and their caregivers. Areas where I provide medication management and counseling include pain management, anticoagulation, infectious diseases, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, and fatigue.
The field of oncology is unparalleled with respect to drug development. New drugs are approved weekly, and treatment guidelines change routinely. Also, research is an interest area of mine. Oncology pharmacists contribute to cancer research by developing clinical studies, reporting important observations from practice, and supporting investigational drug service programs.”
What advice do you have for someone interested in this career field?
“Oncology pharmacy incorporates multiple drug classes and treatment approaches – traditional cytotoxic agents, targeted agents, biologics, immunotherapies, and gene therapies to name a few. A passion for drug development and pharmacology is a must!
Excellent communication skills are needed to effectively educate patients and caregivers, as well as interact with the entire oncology care team.
As an oncology pharmacist, you join the patient on their cancer journey and will likely experience a wide variety of emotions – identifying and preventing burnout and compassion fatigue are essential skills for a healthy and productive career.”