The PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency at NorthShore University HealthSystem is a comprehensive specialty pharmacy program that exposes the resident to all areas of cancer patient care. The resident will participate in the care of both inpatient and outpatient cancer patients as well as patients receiving investigational treatments. The program offers opportunities to learn the various roles of an oncology pharmacist. Under the guidance of experienced oncology pharmacists, the resident will learn in-depth about each cancer and its corresponding management by attending clinic with the physicians/nurses and working alongside other healthcare professionals within the multi-disciplinary team. In addition to learning appropriate cancer therapy, the resident will acquire skills in managing disease-related and/or treatment-related toxicities throughout the year. This program provides residents with opportunities to conceptualize, integrate, and transform accumulated experiences and knowledge into improved patient outcomes. The resident will work primarily in the Kellogg Cancer Center, an ambulatory adult cancer clinic,located at Evanston, Glenbrook, and Highland Park Hospitals.
Rotations Include
All rotations are 5 weeks in length, except for neuro-oncology, which is 2 weeks and hematologic cancers, which is 8 weeks.
- Orientation
- Breast Cancer
- Head Neck Lung Cancers
- Gastrointestinal Cancers
- Gynecologic Cancers
- Genitourinary Cancers
- Sarcomas and Skin Cancers
- Neuro-oncology
- Hematologic Cancers
- Infectious Diseases
Longitudinal Experiences
All experiences are 10 months in length, other than Pharmacogenomics, which is 6 months.
- Symptom Management
- Service Commitment
- Drug Use & Safety
- Teaching & Research
- Pharmacogenomics
Establishing competency to function independently as an oncology pharmacist as well as acquiring general pharmacy practice skills are important components of the residency. While staffing the Kellogg Cancer Center Pharmacy, the resident will monitor and evaluate patient-specific therapeutic regimens. The resident will review the appropriateness of therapy and understand the pharmacology of the various classifications of antineoplastic agents. The resident will also learn to provide dosage calculations, adjust doses based on patient-specific parameters, and identify appropriate laboratory tests/clinical assessments used to monitor for drug toxicity and tumor response.
The clinic setting, which provides direct contact with the medical staff, is extremely beneficial to the resident. The resident provides requested drug information for all health care professionals. The resident will also have the opportunity to deliver educational programs focusing on treatment and disease prevention.
Resident Activities
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of oncology pharmacy practice, the resident will have the opportunity to participate in the following activities:
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Complete a major project
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Conduct drug utilization evaluation studies
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Provide in-service training for nursing/pharmacy staff
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Lead journal club discussions
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Provide formal case presentations
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Attend multidisciplinary tumor conferences
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Lead cancer topic discussions
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Provide drug information
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Write newsletter articles
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Precept pharmacy students and PGY1 pharmacy residents
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Participate on multidisciplinary committees