Contingent Inpatient Pharmacist

Clinical Pharmacist

A Clinical Pharmacist provides medication preparation, distribution services and is prospectively involved with provision of pharmaceutical care and the promotion of high-quality, cost-effective, patient-focused care for populations across the age continuum in conjunction with other members of the healthcare team according to professional standards and statutory requirements. The clinical pharmacist demonstrates pharmacotherapy expertise, participates in interdisciplinary education programs, and participates in problem recognition and resolution related to medication usage, actively participates in CQI initiative development and completion and provides clinical education to pharmacy department staff, students and pharmacy residents if part of the department.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities:

• Interprets and evaluates medication orders to ensure appropriateness of therapy; including, but not limited to dosage form, dose, and route of administration, schedule, starting time and duration.
• Monitors patient medication regimens for possible allergies, drug-drug interactions, nutrient-drug interactions, contraindications, therapeutic duplication and potential adverse drug reactions.
• Individualizes medication therapy based on patient variables including, but not limited to, renal function, age, weight, laboratory values and pharmacokinetic parameters.
• Manages drug therapy and utilization across the continuum of care through communication with physicians, nurses, other healthcare providers and patients to intervene on orders that are unclear, incomplete, inappropriate, or could cause poor drug outcomes and recommends alternative therapy.
• Participates in pharmaceutical care activities such as patient rounds, therapeutic drug monitoring, patient teaching and counseling, admission drug histories, antimicrobial stewardship, pain management and drug information education to healthcare professionals in response to questions or requests for in-service education.
• Documents clinical interventions, participates in quality assurance monitors, drug utilization reviews, pharmacoeconomic analysis, and monitors medication therapy outcomes as assigned.
• Consults with and advises physicians and other health care professionals in the development of safe, rational and cost-effective patient medication care plans.
• Recommends patient specific drug therapy, evaluates therapy regimens and makes recommendations to medical staff to optimize effective drug therapy.
• Educates physicians, employees and other allied disciplines about the goals and rationale of the institution's quality of care and cost containment programs related to medication usage and to pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutical care.
• Directs and monitors pharmacy technicians, interns, and students in preparation, packaging, labeling and distribution of medication.
• Directs, monitors and verifies the compounding of injectable medications including epidural infusions, irrigation, small and large volume parenterals, hyper alimentation and cytotoxic agents performed by pharmacy technicians as necessary based on hospital practices.
• Compounds and dispenses medications and injectable medications recognizing that compounding and/or dispensing errors may result in significant patient morbidity and mortality. Competency must be demonstrated before compounding or checking compounded products. Adheres to USP 797 / USP 800 Guidelines.
• Participates in hospital emergency codes responses. Provides and prepares emergency medications via emergency carts, cardiac kits and EMS/Ambulance kits as necessary based on hospital practices.
• Coordinates pharmaceutical services for specified hospital units. Problem-solves, communicates with, and serves as a liaison between these units and the pharmacy department.
• Initiates, directs, coordinates, and performs specific departmental projects as hospital practice allows.
• Adheres to and enforces Pharmacy & Therapeutics and departmental policies and procedures.
• Actively participates in staff development programs, continuing education, lectures, conferences, and preparation of newsletters, drug class reviews, and new policies and procedures as hospital practice allows.
• As hospital pharmacy department practice allows, participates in teaching programs affiliated with the Department of Pharmacy and training programs for nursing, physicians, pharmacists and other allied health professionals. Precepts Doctor of Pharmacy students on patient care activities. Meets with students regularly to review drug therapy and clinical skills. Serves as a preceptor to the pharmacy residents if trained at hospital site.
• Participates in quality assurance education and training and other special projects as requested.
• Participates in hospital indigent care programs and activities if applicable.
• As hospital pharmacy department practice allows, actively participates in research or drug use evaluation project pertinent to area of clinical practice and presents / publishes results of that research.
• Performs duties in compliance with all federal, state and local regulatory requirements.
• Maintains control and accountability for disposition of controlled substances, hazardous medications and investigational drug regulations. Properly maintains all legally required records. Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations, the Trinity Health Organizational Integrity Program, including the Standards of Conduct, Code of Ethics, as well as other policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical and professionally behaviors.
• Provides quality patient care by considering the age specific, developmental and cultural needs through competent clinical practice. Demonstrates unit/area competencies.
• Supports and conducts one's self in a manner consistent with customer service expectations.
• In accordance with unit or departmental practices, determines that appropriate charges have been entered for the correct patient, encounter, date / time of service, with any required modifiers. Makes corrections as needed per charge capture policy / practice if applicable
• In accordance with unit or departmental practices, actively participates in on-going education and communication regarding revenue management if applicable.
• In accordance with unit or departmental practices, assists with tracking and monitoring of equipment assigned to the unit. Requests services for maintaining equipment (for example automated dispensing cabinet) as needed.
• In accordance with unit or departmental practices, maintains proficiency with the electronic health records for documentation, assessment and care management, performing these activities concurrently with provision of care throughout the shift.
• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, associates, and visitors to St. Joseph Mercy Health System. Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.
• Behaves in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values of SJMHS.
• Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.

Other Functions And Responsibilities

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience And Certification / Licensure:

Education:

• Required Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy. Doctor of Pharmacy degree or equivalent clinical degree in pharmacy practice is preferred.

Experience:

• Previous related hospital experience or hospital residency strongly preferred.

Licensure / Certification:

• Registered pharmacist possessing or eligible for a Michigan Pharmacist and Controlled Substance license is required. Maintenance of minimum hours of State Board of Pharmacy continuing education credits every two years as required by the State of Michigan.
• Per specific hospital policy, Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and / or Advanced Life Support (ACLS) certification as required.

Required Skills And Abilities:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate drug therapy information to all health team members, patients, and administrators / managers. Interpersonal skills necessary to interact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
• Broad knowledge of medications compounding and dispensing. Thorough knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacokinetics and therapeutics.
• Analytic skills necessary to organize and prioritize multiple job duties.
• General understanding of computers, including general operations and data retrieval.
• Commitment to adhere to activities that promote the vision and mission of Trinity Health and the Department of Pharmacy and the principles of continuous quality improvement within the organization.
• Demonstrated punctual professional demeanor that is willing to work variable hours on a rotating schedule.
• Excellent customer service orientation skills necessary in order to deal effectively with various levels of hospital personnel, outside customers and community groups.
• Communication skills necessary for clear written and oral communication.
• Thorough knowledge of the regulatory, statutory, and professional aspects of pharmacy practice.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of pharmacokinetics.
• Demonstrated teaching ability.

Special Demands:

• Sustained attention to details over extended periods of time.
• Alertness to detect errors and omissions in prescriptions, dosage and drug preparations.
• Ability to adapt to precise and exacting activities in filling prescriptions where standards are well defined.
• Ability to cooperate with other employees