What about oncology pharmacist

[firework]

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Have a potential opportunity to work in oncology and hopefully get certified as an oncology pharmacist in a few years, wonder if this is something worth trying. Or forget about pharmacy altogether.

 

[JustFillIt]

Have a potential opportunity to work in oncology and hopefully get certified as an oncology pharmacist in a few years, wonder if this is something worth trying. Or forget about pharmacy altogether.

This is, perhaps, the best spot to be in as a pharmacist. If you have this opportunity you should take it and feel great about your future.

 

[MilknCheerios]

The oncology section of therapeutics, I recall, was one that a majority of P3s bombed. All the drugs have just a few minute details or quirks and was pretty much rote memorization. A lot of Information was memorized for that test and then dumped first thing that night in binge drinking. But, I suppose, if you have the opportunity to pursue that, it should work out well.

 

[rxwhatnow]

I would die to get an oncology position, or any specialty opportunity. So definitely go for it.

May I ask OP about your background/experience? This kind of position seems to be reserved for applicants with prior related experience only. Hard to get your foot in the door 🙁

 

[firework]

I'm not so optimistic. I fear it's only a matter of time that clinical pharmacists will be in the same **** hole like retail.

The oncology section of therapeutics, I recall, was one that a majority of P3s bombed. All the drugs have just a few minute details or quirks and was pretty much rote memorization. A lot of Information was memorized for that test and then dumped first thing that night in binge drinking. But, I suppose, if you have the opportunity to pursue that, it should work out well.

 

[zona2016]

Working in a cancer center with a lot of clinical pharmacist specialized in oncology I can tell you its a great opportunity and a decent field to be in.

 

[JustFillIt]

Working in a cancer center with a lot of clinical pharmacist specialized in oncology I can tell you its a great opportunity and a decent field to be in.

Yes - I agree with this. You gotta be one of those pharmacists that just knocks it out of the park and knows cancer drugs in and out. If you know cancer super well and all the ins/outs of cancer drugs.... your the man (or the woman if your female)....

In fact you become an invaluable part of the team, especially if people like working with you.

 

[zona2016]

Yes - I agree with this. You gotta be one of those pharmacists that just knocks it out of the park and knows cancer drugs in and out. If you know cancer super well and all the ins/outs of cancer drugs.... your the man (or the woman if your female)....

In fact you become an invaluable part of the team, especially if people like working with you.

Also, oncology is very therapeutic driven specialty with almost everything being done by guidelines and set lab parameters for treatment. Also, theres a lot of chemotoxic drugs and infusions that require preparation and compounding by a pharmacist.

 

[Argentium]

Have a few friends in this area and they have great job security and overall really enjoy their job (almost all of them did a PGY-2) - good pay, decent hours for a hospital setting (some weekends here and there), and really meaningful work .. impacting patients & feeling valued by the healthcare team

Edit: also getting into industry shouldn't be too tough, where there are also a lot of jobs. This last decade has been a renaissance of oncology drug development .. here's to hoping the next decade is as well

 

[firework]

Thanks guys. Very valuable information. This will be my one last try.

 

[LivingMyBestLife]

Thanks guys. Very valuable information. This will be my one last try.

I wouldn't put that much pressure on yourself to succeed. Sometimes the outcomes are not what you want. That kind of specialized position will have more barriers to entry and therefore should come with more job security and / or increased financial compensation.

I am very jealous that you are in such a position to have the opportunity to apply to such a position. I would like to become board certified but there are restrictions that you can not sit for the test unless you have enough qualified hours in a specific work environment.

 

[deleted562805]

Have a potential opportunity to work in oncology and hopefully get certified as an oncology pharmacist in a few years, wonder if this is something worth trying. Or forget about pharmacy altogether.

If you do not mind me asking, what’s your background/experience. Are you a new graduate applying for this position or have you done a PGY-1 residency or PGY-2 residency.

 

[gwarm01]

Oncology was my favorite specialty to work in because it was a guaranteed morning shift. I wasn't the "specialist" however, so my duties were providing the second check of orders and supervising compounding. It was still a great gig and, honestly, I think my position was better than the specialist since I didn't have to attend rounds and could escalate any issues through my colleague. I only ever had to page the oncologists a handful of times.