Pair of pharmacists earn oncology certification
Submitted by CLEVELAND CLINIC
SANDUSKY – Laura Schmitt, PA-C, RPh, and Kasi McKitrick, PharmD, Pharmacists at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, earned their BCOP certification – Board Certification in Oncology Pharmacy – from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.
Oncology Pharmacy provides evidence-based, patient centered medication therapy management and direct patient care for individuals with cancer, including treatment assessment and monitoring for potential adverse drug reactions and interactions.
The BPS Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist:
- Has the advanced knowledge and experience to manage cancer-related and drug-related adverse events or clinical situations not encountered in other disease states due to the increasing number and complexity of drug therapies to treat and prevent cancer
- Is specially trained to recommend, design, implement, monitor and modify pharmacotherapeutic plans to optimize outcomes in patients with malignant diseases and reduce medication errors
- Recognizes and responds to adverse physical and emotional issues that may arise during treatment, including pain, nausea and hair loss
- Works in hospital settings as part of a multidisciplinary team; and in ambulatory clinics, arranging for patients to receive their chemotherapy in a care facility or at home
- Serves as a resource for community pharmacists whose patients are being treated outside the hospital
Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center operates in Sandusky, Clyde and Norwalk. Ranked No. 1 in Ohio and No. 5 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, the center provides a range of services to patients including clinical trials and internationally recognized cancer research efforts ensuring patients have access to the latest advances in cancer treatment, as well as a range of support programs helping patients navigate the challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis.
For information, visit clevelandclinic.org/cancer.
