Jay Jones, RPh
Oncology Pharmacist
E-mail: jonesj@somc.org
Phone: (740) 356-7596
Fax: (740) 356-7488
SOMC Cancer Center
1121 Kinney’s Lane
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Patients get to know their physicians and nurses providing frontline diagnoses and care during their visits at SOMC Cancer Center. Many patients may not be aware of our oncology pharmacist providing expertise behind the scenes.
The oncology pharmacist performs many tasks to assist with the proper care of our patients. Every patient’s chemotherapy is custom designed to their individual requirements.
A sampling of the oncology pharmacist’s roles:
- Provides evidence based support for all treatment plans.
- Offers review for new medications or new indications and care plan creation. This is especially important for new studies and protocols that are emerging constantly in the field of medical oncology and assists our team to stay on top of current National Comprehensive Cancer Care Guidelines.
- Ensures that each treatment plan is accurately and safely ordered, prepared, and administered.
- Provides education to physicians, staff, and patients about the desired effects of medication, side effects, and potential interactions.
- Provides educational support as an oncology specialist to pharmacists and pharmacy students preparing for doctorate in pharmacy practice.
- Provides economic analysis for medication usage and support for financial counseling processes for patients at the SOMC Cancer Center.
- As medications are ordered many verifications are performed by the oncology pharmacist not limited to but including; the proper delivery of the medication including review of care plan, diagnosis, latest laboratory results and adequate blood component counts, and adequate kidney and liver functions.
- Recommends dose adjustments or medication change if indicated based on study and literature review.
- Ensures proper mathematical calculation of medication dosing and accurate entry of the medication orders into the pharmacy and medical chart systems.
- Ensures the correct medications and supplies are on hand, safely prepared in a specifically designed and regulated clean room by a chemotherapy trained certified pharmacy technician.
- Finalizes preparation for release to nursing services for administration.
- Provides review and educational support for proper sequencing of drug administration to include pre-medications and therapies.
- Oversees safety of all personnel, patients, and public when considering the handling , dispensation, and the by-products of chemotherapy administration.
In short, the oncology pharmacist provides the medication expertise, also known as pharmaceutical care, needed to support the physicians, nurses, and support staff in the care of each patient receiving chemotherapy or supportive medicinal care.